US Army tests Airbus MQ-72C self-flying cargo helicopter
Airbus flew its MQ-72C Lakota Connector five times at Huntsville Executive Airport, with the helicopter autonomously rerouting around a newly restricted no-fly zone. Operators sent commands via Starlink from up to 70 miles away, while Shield AI's Hivemind software handled navigation.
- Five demonstration flights took place at Huntsville Executive Airport in Alabama
- Remote commands traveled over Starlink from as far as 70 miles
- Two LiDAR sensors and a nose camera feed autonomous navigation
- Front clamshell cargo doors are expected around 2029–2030
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