Test flight within inches of retrieving Gremlin UAV
Airborne attempts to retrieve three Gremlin unmanned air vehicles with a C-130 aircraft have come within inches of success, says DARPA.
The X-61A Gremlins Air Vehicle (GAV) program is developing an air launched and air retrieved capability that will equip GAVs with sensors and other mission-specific technologies whilst keeping ‘less expendable assets beyond the range of adversary defences’.
Video of the week: DARPA recruits gremlins for air supremacy
According to DARPA, testing has been in progress since October and the latest flight of over two hours validated autonomous formation flying positions and safety features.
Nine attempts were made to engage the GAVs to the docking bullet extended from a C-130 aircraft, ‘but relative movement was more dynamic than expected’ and the GAVs parachuted to the ground.
In a statement, Scott Wierzbanowski, program manager for Gremlins in DARPA’s Tactical Technology Office, said: “All of our systems looked good during the ground tests, but the flight test is where you truly find how things work.
“We came within inches of connection on each attempt but, ultimately, it just wasn’t close enough to engage the recovery system.”
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