Northrop Grumman's AI-Powered Vanguard Aircraft Prepares for Autonomous Flight Tests with Six Partner Companies
Summary
Northrop Grumman's Model 437 Vanguard aircraft prepares for autonomous flight tests with AI software from six partner companies including Red 6, Shield AI, and EpiSci, requiring five more human-piloted flights before full AI control takes over by year-end.
Key Points
- Northrop Grumman's Model 437 Vanguard aircraft returns to flight testing after nearly a year of modifications to install the company's Prism autonomy package as part of the Beacon AI testbed program
- Six partner companies including Red 6, Shield AI, and EpiSci prepare to test their specialized AI software modules on the aircraft, ranging from augmented reality training systems to tactical combat algorithms and mission planning capabilities
- The aircraft requires five more human-piloted test flights before Prism takes full autonomous control by year-end, after which multiple partner software modules will run simultaneously during flight tests