Navy Testing New Drone Helicopters By Martin Holguin April 11, 2014 The Navy is now planning to fly drone helicopters from a tablet application. The Pentagon is pushing the program with a planned five-year program with a $100 million budget to convert existing military choppers into a fleet of drones. This program will save many lives as it allows helicopters to go into dangerous zones with valuable cargo while unmanned. The project, known as the autonomous Aerial Cargo and Utility System (AACUS), has already made great strides. They have tested the system on three different types of helicopters with success. The Navys chief of research, Matthew Klunder, said of the project that is truly leap-ahead technology. The Naval Research Laboratory uploaded a video to YouTube to demonstrate the advances they have made. With the addition of a 100-pund sensor and software package they can change multiple types of helicopters into drones that can be operated remotely from a tablet computer. Next to the video the Navy states that this technology, will probide the US Marine Corps with the ability to rapidly support forces on the front line, as an alternative to convoys, manned aircraft or air drops in all weather and possibly hostile conditions, with minimal training required by the requester. The technology has already be used successfully on full sized helicopters with men an women operating and landing the aircrafts from a tablet device. The Pentagons blog states that this system is one that could be put on an unmanned drone, or it could be put on a manned helicopter; it doesnt matter. Its easily installed, easily used and easily learned. Which is pretty incredible. The autonomy of the system across many different aircrafts will streamline training and allow the Navy to certify people more readily, meaning they save money. Additionally, the technology will save many lives because there will be less need to put people out in the field, in harms way. Supplies and assistance can be delivered to a battlefield without employing a convoy that is highly susceptible to attack. Even more exciting is that this project is moving quickly and may be ready to implement within the next two years. Lt Cmdr Martin Holguin has served in the United States Navy since 1999 aboard five U.S. warships in positions ranging from division officer to commanding officer. He also served with the Chief of Naval Operations Strategic Studies Group as a Director Fellow.

Martin is currently a prospective EMBA candidate at the University of Notre Dame, where he will graduate from in May. For fun and for fitness, Martin enjoys ocean swimming as well as distance running along the coast.