UAVs learn to land themselves

BAE Systems have developed an intelligent recovery system

Defence firm BAE Systems Australia has developed an image-based intelligent recovery system that enables unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to locate and land on runways without GPS or any remote piloting.

Most previous UAV landing and autopilot systems have used GPS to locate, position and guide themselves onto runways.

When a landing strip is visible, the system uses visual or image-based clues and an off-the-shelf database of runways to develop specific algorithms to land safely. The system can also calculate algorithms for moving platforms such as naval ships.

David Allott, BAE Systems chief executive, said: “This technology means UAVs can safely land in emergency situations without assistance – an innovation that not only protects the UAV and offers increased reliability, but has the potential to save lives. The intelligent recovery system can even be used for manned civil and military aircraft.”

Allott said the system offered customers significant operational and safety benefits, reducing planning for missions and operator workload.

When a runway is visible, the system uses visual aids to develop situation specific algorithms to land safely. These algorithms are even suitable for use on moving platforms, such as naval ships.

The technology is currently installed on BAE Systems Australia’s Kingfisher 2 UAV system and elements of it will be used in BAE Systems next generation of UAVs.