西科爾斯基公司的Matrix自動化直升機

????上周二，知名直升機制造商西科爾斯基公司（Sikorsky）公布了又一款重磅產(chǎn)品——一款經(jīng)過數(shù)年努力研發(fā)出的自動化直升機。該公司高管表示，Matrix項目并不只是要制造一款能根據(jù)程序自動飛機的無人直升機。這個機型既允許操作人員遙控操作，另外如果機內(nèi)有飛行人員的話，他可以從事其它與飛行有關(guān)的任務(wù)，而一般不需要較高水平的駕駛?cè)蝿?wù)可以交給直升機自動完成。

????根據(jù)Matrix項目的未來愿景，將來該機型的飛行員更多扮演的是一個任務(wù)管理者的角色。他既可以在地面、也可以在直升機內(nèi)執(zhí)行任務(wù)。

Sikorsky's Matrix autonomous helicopter

????Last Tuesday, storied helicopter manufacturer Sikorsky announced a significant addition to its research and development portfolio, unveiling a multi-year initiative to develop technology for autonomous helicopter flight. The Matrix Technology program isn't just about building an unmanned helicopter that can be programmed to fly itself, company execs say. It will allow helicopters to be controlled remotely, or will allow pilots onboard to perform other flight-related tasks while the aircraft handles the low-level piloting of the helicopter.

????In the vision put forth by the Matrix program, pilots will become more like mission managers that will be able to conduct their duties either from the ground or from aboard the aircraft.