Airbus, Shield AI complete first autonomous logistics connector helicopter flight

Airbus U.S. Space & Defense completed its first autonomous helicopter test flight using Shield AI’s Hivemind autonomy package in Grand Prairie, Texas. The flight represents a significant step forward in developing the MQ-72C Lakota Connector for the U.S. Marine Corps Aerial Logistics Connector program.

The test utilized an H145 helicopter to refine mission technology, accelerate development timelines and reduce costs and technical risks. Engineers integrated Hivemind into the aircraft in less than two months, showcasing the system’s modular and platform-agnostic design.