Honeywell Aerospace Technologies and Near Earth Autonomy have completed the first autonomous flight of a Leonardo AW139 helicopter as part of the U.S. Marine Corps Aerial Logistics Connector (ALC) program, Honeywell announced in a statement.
Honeywell said the test flight took place in Phoenix, Arizona, in May. It marked the first time the AW139 helicopter was flown entirely under the control of Near Earth’s onboard autonomy software.
“For the first time, key autopilot modes of the AW139 were controlled directly by Near Earth’s onboard autonomy software, without pilot input, showcasing precise flight control and autonomous decision-making,” the statement reads.
Dr. Sanjiv Singh, CEO of Near Earth Autonomy, said that the successful flight demonstrates the maturity of its autonomous technology and its potential to transform logistics operations.
“By directly controlling the AW139’s flight modes with our autonomy system, we’ve shown that scalable autonomous logistics using existing platforms is not just possible — it’s happening now. This capability is essential for reducing risk to military personnel and ensuring resilient supply chains in the field,” Singh said.
“This successful demonstration is a major step in creating brand new possibilities for not only the USMC, but potentially other helicopter operators as well,” said Bob Buddecke, President of Electronic Solutions at Honeywell Aerospace Technologies.
The ALC program aims to develop autonomous aerial logistics systems that minimize risk to personnel while increasing the speed and scale of supply operations. According to Honeywell, future testing will focus on advancing autonomy features, such as automated obstacle avoidance, and integrating the system into military logistics workflows.
