Airbus Helicopters is advancing to the next stage of Project Eagle, in which its on-board image processing system must prove itself during flight testing.
Mounted on an H225 test helicopter, flight campaigns were conducted to demonstrate the system’s capabilities. The optical system is designed to detect small ground targets located within a range of two miles and automatically track them while the pilot continues to fly the helicopter.
Eagle: Ability for Vertical Takeoff Aircraft
According to Airbus, this process enabled the validation of the system architecture for EAGLE (Eye for Autonomous Guidance and Landing Extension) –particularly regarding its gyroscope-controlled optronics and associated data processing. The next step involves integrating the system with the aircraft’s avionics to such an extent that target tracking functions fully autonomously, thereby enabling the helicopter to navigate to a nearby landing site. This research project aims to reduce crew workload and is intended for use in future vertical take-off aircraft.
