Honeywell and Near Earth Autonomy have completed an autonomous flight of a Leonardo AW139 helicopter, advancing the future of uncrewed vertical lift for military logistics.
Conducted in Phoenix, Arizona, the test marks the first time this class of helicopter has flown autonomously without pilot input or remote control, a pivotal achievement under the U.S. Marine Corps Aerial Logistics Connector program.
The flight underscores the growing maturity of autonomous systems that can operate independently in contested environments, helping reduce risk to personnel and streamline logistics in active combat zones.
The AW139 used in the demonstration was equipped with Near Earth Autonomy’s onboard software, which took full control of key autopilot functions. The successful flight demonstrated precise navigation and autonomous decision-making, validating the aircraft’s ability to perform logistics missions without human intervention. This capability is a critical requirement for the Aerial Logistics Connector program, which is being executed through a Naval Aviation Systems Consortium Other Transaction Agreement, with Near Earth Autonomy serving as the prime contractor. The initiative focuses on developing autonomous aerial systems that can support large-scale logistics operations and rapidly deliver critical supplies with minimal personnel exposure.
Bob Buddecke, President of Electronic Solutions at Honeywell Aerospace Technologies, said, “Not only is this successful demonstration a major step in creating brand new possibilities for the USMC, but it also creates a potential pathway for use by other helicopter operators as well. Together with Near Earth Autonomy and Leonardo, we’re showing how existing aircraft can be adapted with trusted avionics to support the next generation of defense logistics. Uncrewed aircraft will be vital in keeping service men and women as safe as possible in contested environments, and we are one step closer to realizing that vision.”
Dr. Sanjiv Singh, CEO of Near Earth Autonomy, added, “This flight showcases Near Earth Autonomy’s leadership in developing trusted autonomy for real-world operations. By directly controlling the AW139’s flight modes with our autonomy system, we’ve shown that scalable autonomous logistics using existing platforms is not just possible — it’s happening now. This capability is essential for reducing risk to military personnel and ensuring resilient supply chains in the field.”
Planned future tests will extend the system’s functionality to include automated obstacle avoidance and deeper integration with existing military logistics workflows. The ultimate goal is to field a fully autonomous and resilient logistics platform that can respond quickly to operational demands while enhancing battlefield readiness.
Honeywell’s collaboration with Near Earth Autonomy brings together decades of aerospace experience with autonomy, aiming to deliver scalable, certifiable solutions suitable for both upgraded legacy platforms and next-generation aircraft. Honeywell’s flight systems are designed to meet current mission needs while supporting the broader transition to highly autonomous, uncrewed aviation.
