Navy wants self-navigating unmanned cargo aircraft

The Navy is soliciting bids for an unmanned vertical takeoff and landing program that would produce an aircraft capable of resupplying Marine units in isolated parts of Afghanistan, reports FlightGlobal.com.

The goal of the Autonomous Aerial Cargo/Utility System program is to produce a sensor and processing package that will enable the aircraft to safely select its own route and landing point without the direction of a remote pilot. 

Responses to the solicitation are due Feb. 28, and the Navy plans to award contracts to two teams in April, the story said. The first flight demonstration likely would occur in 2014.

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