Robinson completes AIRTRUCK autonomous cargo aircraft flight tests in Louisiana

Robinson completes AIRTRUCK autonomous cargo aircraft flight tests in Louisiana

The Robinson Unmanned R44 AIRTRUCK, an unmanned, remotely piloted cargo helicopter, has completed a series of demonstration flights at Acadiana Regional Airport (KARA) in New Iberia, LA. The flights were conducted September 2 and 3 by Aviation Academy of Louisiana (AAL), an authorized Robinson dealer and service centre, with PHI Aviation and invited industry, government, and observers in attendance. “Over two days, the aircraft demonstrated operational readiness for offshore missions, including cargo loading and unloading, elevated deck landing, precision positioning, and airspace integration, flying repeated approaches to a platform configured as an offshore deck,” said the company in a press release.  “It operated with a crew of two: one remote pilot in command and one ground support crew, showing the efficient operating footprint of the system.” The R44 AIRTRUCK is built on the Robinson R44 airframe and adapted for remotely piloted operation using Rotor Technologies’ RPX unmanned flight system. It carries a useful load of up to 1,000 pounds and more than 60 cubic feet of internal volume, cruises at over 100 knots, and operates up to 14,000 feet. “Louisiana has supplied the offshore energy industry for generations, and the missions that keep platforms running, resupply, crew logistics, deck work, are not only demanding, but weather-exposed, and unforgiving,” said the company in a press release.  “An unmanned aircraft like the R44 AIRTRUCK that can land on a deck, carry a real load, and be maintained at a field site offers operators a way to move cargo more effectively. Last week’s test flights let local operators see for themselves how remotely piloted operations also improve safety, putting the aircraft, not people, in the highest-risk part of the mission.” “This is the Era of Both in practice, the same airframe, the same parts, and the same people supporting manned or unmanned missions,” said David Smith, president and CEO of Robinson Helicopter Company. For more information https://www.robinsonheli.com/unmanned/press/robinson-unmanned-r44-airtruck-demonstrates-offshore-cargo-capabilities-at-acadiana-regional-airport-in-louisiana (Image: Robinson)