Pittsburgh-based autonomous aircraft company Near Earth Autonomy and Melbourne, Florida-based defense contractor L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX) announced the successful demonstration of a drone system capable of delivering whole blood and other medical supplies autonomously across distances spanning hundreds of miles.
The two companies said the demonstration will further enhance supply availability and health outcomes for those using the new system, the most likely of which will be military personal in remote areas.
To accomplish this feat, Near Earth said it integrated its autonomous flight systems into L3Harris' FVR-90 hybrid VTOL aircraft. The system is now capable of transporting supplies autonomously and deciding on its own if it should land upon arrival or deposit transport pods containing the supplies should terrain conditions prove to be too hazardous for landing.
"This project allowed us to demonstrate the utility of autonomous, safe landing in complex, unstructured environments," Sanjiv Singh, CEO of Near Earth, said in a release. "It is especially gratifying to speak to end users who can benefit from the life-saving applications that are now possible through this innovative program.”
A contract from the U.S. Army Medical Research & Development Command and the Telemedicine & Advanced Technology Research Center awarded to Near Earth and L3Harris, one of the largest defense contractors in the nation, made the research and development for the technology possible.
“This achievement leveraged L3Harris and Near Earth’s broad UAS expertise to address the exact type of advanced missions that our Warfighters need,” Dave Duggan, president of L3Harris' precision engagement systems, said in a release. “When combined with autonomous delivery zone evaluation, vertical takeoff and landing and long-distance flight can transform field supply logistics.”
