An F-35 Lightning II from the 461st Flight Test Squadron on a test sortie. Credit: Chad Bellay.

The US Air Force’s (USAF) 461st Flight Test Squadron has commenced test flight missions to assess the automatic ground collision avoidance system (Auto GCAS) with the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter aircraft.

The mission is being carried out at the USAF’s Edwards Air Force Base (AFB) in California and will test the ability of the technology to prevent ground collisions when pilots get disoriented due to scenarios such as target-fixation or gravity-induced loss of consciousness.

Related Company Profiles

View all

Under such scenarios, the Auto GCAS would activate, take control from the pilot and return the aircraft to a safe altitude.

“The future F-35 pilot is going to be a lethal battlefield manager with automated tools at his fingertips to ensure survivability and lethality.”

The system uses sensors on the aircraft, terrain data and other different onboard monitors to identify an event related to a possible ground collision. It then uses the jet’s trajectory, speed and lack of input from the pilot to determine the best possible way to ensure a safe aircraft trajectory.

USAF 461st Flight Test Squadron test pilot lieutenant colonel Raven LeClair said: “This technology is the stepping stone to increased combat capability via a fully capable combat autopilot that will be able to execute tactical manoeuvres to defeat inbound kinetic and non-kinetic threats and maximise lethality through precise weapon employment.

“The future F-35 pilot is going to be a lethal battlefield manager with automated tools at his fingertips to ensure survivability and lethality.”

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

The test flights are primarily conducted to ensure that the Auto GCAS is compatible with the other computer systems installed onboard the F-35 fighter jets.