Defence

Boeing has conducted the first autonomous flight of its Unmanned Little Bird (ULB) technology demonstrator, a modified MD Helicopters MD 530F. In the 20min flight test at the US Army's Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona, the unmanned helicopter took off, hovered, flew a pre-programmed reconnaissance mission and landed autonomously. The ULB demonstrator had already logged more than 450 flight hours over two years with a safety pilot on board, and is a precursor to the improved A/MH-6X, which is expected to fly this month. Based on the special-forces Mission Enhanced Little Bird, with improved rotors, uprated engine and transmission and updated avionics, the A/MH-6X is being proposed for manned and unmanned missions.