Automated Take Off and Landing UAV vs. Manned

Automated Take Off and Landing UAV vs. Manned

            The act of taking off and landing an aircraft has been under constant scrutiny and in a state of innovation since before the Wright brothers. Leonardo DaVinci was famous for his early sketches of an "aerial screw", a helicopter like device that would take off and land vertically ("Leonardo Da Vinci...."). Otto Lilienthal died during one of his famous leaps from a hill with one of his gliders (Gray, 2013). Even the idea of the runway has been challenged, with aircraft being designed with Vertical Take-Off and Land (VTOL) capability, such as the Harrier Jet or the V-22 Osprey.

            It is no surprise then, that automation has been creeping its way into these areas as well. After all, most accidents can be directly attributed to human error of some sort, with the landing phase being the riskiest part of any flight. As software improves, so does its ability to take over for humans. Eliminating human error entirely through the use of automated systems is the next step in the aviation industry.

            The F-35 Lightning II is a great example of a modern aircraft design with heavy take-off and landing automation. Capable of taking off vertically, the F-35 is reminiscent of its earlier cousin, the Harrier Jump Jet. The Harrier is also known for its many mechanical issues, specifically the risk of botching the vertical landing. It has killed 143 marines in non-combat situations (Miller, 2002). The F-35 will solve the problems with automation. The aircraft is capable of taking off and landing entirely by itself and has so far proved better at it than its human pilots.

            The MQ-1C Grey Eagle variant of the Predator also has automated landing capability. In fact, the Grey Eagle has achieved over 10,000 successful automated landings, even landing in high crosswinds ("Grey Eagle Achieves...", 2012). This automation is seen as a necessity by the USAF in order to reduce operating costs. The automated landing eliminates the need for a recovery crew to be deployed with the aircraft itself.

            The trend towards full automation in the future is obvious. The technology is already there it just needs to be improved upon to reach an acceptable level of safety. Once the software and computing power is up to speed, automation will be better at flying than even the best human pilot.   

Resources

Gray, C. (2013). Otto Lilienthal. Retrieved from http://www.flyingmachines.org/lilthl.html

Miller, A. (15, December 2002). Far from battlefield; Marines lose one-third of harrier fleet.          Retrieved from http://www.pulitzer.org/archives/6722

(25, July 2002). Grey Eagle achieves 10,000 automated take offs and landings. Retrieved from             http://www.suasnews.com/2012/07/17747/grey-eagle-achieves-10000-automated-take-      offs-and-landings/

Leonardo Da Vinci inventions. Retrieved from http://www.da-vinci-inventions.com/aerial-            screw.aspx