Boeing has successfully landed a H-6U unmanned version of the Little Bird helicopter on a ship off the Florida coast.
Rick Lemaster, Boeing's director of unmanned systems, says the optionally manned aircraft performed very well.
The test was performed on leased "power yatch". The key technology is differential GPS and measuring ship geometry with an accuracy of around 10 cm.
The ship was moving at 10 knots, and there was 10 knots of wind. Conditions were benign, Lemaster says.
Lemaster says the technology could work in conditions as bad as Sea State 4.
Boeing is also on contract with Thales to demonstrate a similar capability on a French warship. NATO will participate in that event.
Source: Flight Daily News
