Bell has revealed its 429-based Aircraft Laboratory for Future Autonomy (ALFA). Bell’s Advanced Programs team developed this aircraft to investigate the integration of fly-by-wire for autonomously controlled flight.
“Fly-by-wire flight, coupled with additional capability that are being integrated into ALFA, provide a great foundation for Bell to expand on its autonomous capabilities,” explained Jason Hurst, Executive Vice President of Engineering at Bell. “This aircraft will serve as a flying lab that will inform future autonomous technology development, which we can ultimately leverage to deliver the best rotorcraft solutions to global operators.”
Having completed its first flight at Bell’s Mirabel facility, home to production of the 429 and 505 models, the aircraft is now at the company’s flight research centre in Fort Worth for further flight testing and research.
