First Autonomous AW139 Flight Unlocks NextGen US Military Logistics
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According to information published by PR Newswire on June 17, 2025, Honeywell and Near Earth Autonomy have completed the first autonomous test flight of a Leonardo AW139 helicopter as part of the United States Marine Corps’ Aerial Logistics Connector (ALC) program. This test flight, conducted in May in Phoenix, Arizona, represents a significant step toward deploying uncrewed autonomous helicopters for logistics missions in contested environments, without an onboard pilot or remote operator. Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
This represents the first instance in which an AW139 helicopter has operated with its flight modes fully controlled by embedded autonomous systems (Picture source: Leonardo)
The test featured a Honeywell-owned AW139 helicopter fitted with Near Earth Autonomy’s onboard autonomy suite. During the flight, the system autonomously executed key autopilot functions, managing the helicopter’s flight path and operational decisions without pilot intervention. This represents the first instance in which an AW139 helicopter has operated with its flight modes fully controlled by embedded autonomous systems. The demonstration confirmed that existing, crewed platforms can be upgraded to conduct uncrewed missions reliably and precisely, opening the door to retrofitting legacy airframes for new-generation applications. The AW139 is a high-performance twin-engine helicopter designed for a wide range of missions. With a top cruise speed of 306 km/h, maximum range of 1,187 km, and endurance of over five and a half hours, it can carry up to 15 passengers or be configured for medical evacuation with stretchers and onboard treatment facilities. These characteristics, combined with its structural resilience and modularity, make it an ideal candidate for logistics support in both civilian and military contexts.
The ALC program, established through a Naval Aviation Systems Consortium Other Transaction Agreement, is led by Near Earth Autonomy with Honeywell as a core partner. Its purpose is to develop and implement autonomous aerial logistics platforms that can be seamlessly incorporated into military supply chains. The project aims to address operational challenges by reducing the exposure of personnel to dangerous conditions and by increasing the speed, predictability, and scale of logistics operations. Future developments in the program will include enhanced features such as automated obstacle detection and avoidance, autonomous route planning, and real-time integration with battlefield logistics networks. These advancements are intended to optimize aircraft performance in dynamic operational theaters, providing continuous and adaptive resupply capabilities.
The AW139 itself brings key advantages to the table. Beyond its performance metrics, it is equipped with advanced safety systems including crashworthy design elements, full or limited ice protection for all-weather operation, and integrated avionics that reduce pilot workload. These features are crucial for unmanned operations, where decision-making and environmental adaptability must be managed by onboard systems. The aircraft’s compatibility with specialized role equipment, such as obstacle proximity sensors, mission consoles, and medical support units, enables it to be tailored for mission-specific requirements. In the context of the ALC program, this versatility supports its use not only for cargo delivery but also for casualty evacuation and critical supply missions in remote or contested zones.
This test flight represents more than a technological demonstration; it reflects a fundamental transformation in how military aviation approaches logistics and operational resilience. By adopting autonomous aircraft like the AW139 into logistics frameworks, military forces can maintain uninterrupted supply chains even in denied or high-threat areas. It reduces dependence on human crews, lowers the risk of casualties, and enables higher operational tempo through persistent and responsive aerial delivery. Furthermore, because the AW139 is already widely deployed across military and civilian operators worldwide, integrating autonomy into this existing fleet offers a cost-effective and rapidly scalable pathway to modernizing aerial logistics capabilities without waiting for the deployment of entirely new platforms.
{loadposition bannertop}
{loadposition sidebarpub}
According to information published by PR Newswire on June 17, 2025, Honeywell and Near Earth Autonomy have completed the first autonomous test flight of a Leonardo AW139 helicopter as part of the United States Marine Corps’ Aerial Logistics Connector (ALC) program. This test flight, conducted in May in Phoenix, Arizona, represents a significant step toward deploying uncrewed autonomous helicopters for logistics missions in contested environments, without an onboard pilot or remote operator.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
This represents the first instance in which an AW139 helicopter has operated with its flight modes fully controlled by embedded autonomous systems (Picture source: Leonardo)
The test featured a Honeywell-owned AW139 helicopter fitted with Near Earth Autonomy’s onboard autonomy suite. During the flight, the system autonomously executed key autopilot functions, managing the helicopter’s flight path and operational decisions without pilot intervention. This represents the first instance in which an AW139 helicopter has operated with its flight modes fully controlled by embedded autonomous systems. The demonstration confirmed that existing, crewed platforms can be upgraded to conduct uncrewed missions reliably and precisely, opening the door to retrofitting legacy airframes for new-generation applications. The AW139 is a high-performance twin-engine helicopter designed for a wide range of missions. With a top cruise speed of 306 km/h, maximum range of 1,187 km, and endurance of over five and a half hours, it can carry up to 15 passengers or be configured for medical evacuation with stretchers and onboard treatment facilities. These characteristics, combined with its structural resilience and modularity, make it an ideal candidate for logistics support in both civilian and military contexts.
The ALC program, established through a Naval Aviation Systems Consortium Other Transaction Agreement, is led by Near Earth Autonomy with Honeywell as a core partner. Its purpose is to develop and implement autonomous aerial logistics platforms that can be seamlessly incorporated into military supply chains. The project aims to address operational challenges by reducing the exposure of personnel to dangerous conditions and by increasing the speed, predictability, and scale of logistics operations. Future developments in the program will include enhanced features such as automated obstacle detection and avoidance, autonomous route planning, and real-time integration with battlefield logistics networks. These advancements are intended to optimize aircraft performance in dynamic operational theaters, providing continuous and adaptive resupply capabilities.
The AW139 itself brings key advantages to the table. Beyond its performance metrics, it is equipped with advanced safety systems including crashworthy design elements, full or limited ice protection for all-weather operation, and integrated avionics that reduce pilot workload. These features are crucial for unmanned operations, where decision-making and environmental adaptability must be managed by onboard systems. The aircraft’s compatibility with specialized role equipment, such as obstacle proximity sensors, mission consoles, and medical support units, enables it to be tailored for mission-specific requirements. In the context of the ALC program, this versatility supports its use not only for cargo delivery but also for casualty evacuation and critical supply missions in remote or contested zones.
This test flight represents more than a technological demonstration; it reflects a fundamental transformation in how military aviation approaches logistics and operational resilience. By adopting autonomous aircraft like the AW139 into logistics frameworks, military forces can maintain uninterrupted supply chains even in denied or high-threat areas. It reduces dependence on human crews, lowers the risk of casualties, and enables higher operational tempo through persistent and responsive aerial delivery. Furthermore, because the AW139 is already widely deployed across military and civilian operators worldwide, integrating autonomy into this existing fleet offers a cost-effective and rapidly scalable pathway to modernizing aerial logistics capabilities without waiting for the deployment of entirely new platforms.
