September 4, 2019 | Aerospace

Platform Converts Standard Aircraft to UAV, and Back

Aerospace INSIDER

Image of ROBOpilot system — The rear view of the installed ROBOpilot system before its first flight. (Courtesy photo)

The Robotic Pilot Unmanned Conversion Program (ROBOpilot) converts a general aviation aircraft into an unmanned vehicle and then returns it back to its original configuration – all without making permanent modifications to the aircraft.

Users remove the pilot’s seat and install a frame in its place that contains all the necessary equipment to control the aircraft including actuators, electronics, cameras, power systems, and a robotic arm.