Lockheed Martin highlights autonomous aircraft testing, Sikorsky partnership

Lockheed Martin (LMT) used the Farnborough International Airshow to highlight progress in autonomous aircraft development and announce a new collaboration between its Sikorsky helicopter unit and Safran Helicopter Engines.

Nomad 100 completes early testing

Sikorsky said it has completed initial ground and flight testing of its Nomad 100 uncrewed aerial system under the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's Early VTOL Aircraft Demonstration, or EVADE, program.

The company said the aircraft combines helicopter-style vertical takeoff and landing with the speed and endurance of a fixed-wing aircraft through a twin prop-rotor design. The platform is intended to operate alongside crewed aircraft on missions from forward operating bases, ships and other austere locations.

Sikorsky said the Nomad 100 will now enter a more extensive flight test campaign at a government facility, where it will be evaluated across multiple mission profiles.

The aircraft incorporates Sikorsky's MATRIX autonomous flight technology, which DARPA selected as the autonomy system for all five aircraft participating in the EVADE program.

According to the company, MATRIX has accumulated more than 1,000 flight hours, supported more than 500 demonstrations and been integrated on more than 20 platforms.

Sikorsky and Safran expand cooperation

Separately, Sikorsky and Safran Helicopter Engines signed an agreement at Farnborough to explore cooperation on propulsion systems for existing and future vertical lift aircraft.

The companies said the agreement builds on a relationship spanning four decades, including Safran engines used on the Sikorsky S-76 helicopter. More than 1,230 Safran engines have been delivered for the S-76 fleet, which has accumulated nearly 10 million flight hours.

The companies said they will evaluate opportunities involving both crewed rotorcraft and uncrewed aerial systems, with an emphasis on next-generation power and propulsion technologies for commercial and defense aircraft.

While Farnborough is traditionally one of the aerospace industry's biggest venues for commercial aircraft orders, the airshow has also become a major platform for defense companies to introduce new technologies, partnerships and development programs. Investors watch the event for signs of future procurement priorities, international cooperation and emerging aerospace technologies.