Reliable Robotics, the autonomous flight technology leader, has strengthened its partnership with the United States Air Force (USAF) to create the next generation of autonomous drone systems. In a significant milestone, the company launched a new Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the USAF to enable the buildout of Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACP).

Advancing Autonomy Through CRADA and A-GRA Integration

The collaboration is on integrating commercial-grade autonomy into military aviation using the Autonomy-Government Reference Architecture (A-GRA).

Reliable Robotics USAF partnership will be aimed at standardizing and scaling unmanned flight capabilities for defense missions on various military aircraft platforms and airspaces through the application of the company's low-cost, highly reliable commercial autonomy solutions.

Merging RAS with USAF Framework for Safe and Agile Operations

Under the CRADA, Reliable Robotics will integrate its Reliable Autonomy System (RAS) with the USAF's A-GRA framework to achieve maximum operational effectiveness, safety, and interoperability. The mapping ensures that both military and civilian air traffic control systems are able to coexist in harmony, the essential prerequisite for responsive and agile combat operations.

"Commercial solutions are critical to the A-GRA to enable terminal area integration and operationally acceptable detect and avoid," said AFWERX Major Dustin Graves. "Enabling compatibility with future commercial capabilities future-proofs DOD Autonomous Collaborative Platforms."

Supporting the USAF’s Agile Combat Employment Doctrine

The USAF's present doctrine of agile combat employment (ACE) focuses on the achievement of timely, adaptable, and survivable mission accomplishment. The Reliable Robotics USAF partnership is just one of the military's broader efforts to equip warfighters with secure and reliable autonomous solutions in both peacetime and contested environments.

Demonstrated Capabilities in Real Flight Exercises

To advance these goals, Reliable Robotics has already proved itself by flying a remotely controlled airplane more than 120 miles away with a portable ground control station. The company has also performed a series of autonomous flight missions for the Air Combat Command during the annual Agile Flag exercise.

Multi-Year Contracts and Funding Accelerate Development

Reliable Robotics also recently obtained a multi-year Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with the USAF. The company, under the contract, is to implement and demonstrate its RAS on a variety of military applications. The company also obtained funding from the AFWERX Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI) program to support additional unmanned aerial system (UAS) flights that will be used to conduct actual military operations.

KC-135 Automation Roadmap Highlights Autonomy in Refueling

One of the highlights of the event was the release of a comprehensive KC-135 Automation Roadmap to the USAF. The roadmap was created through an already awarded Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase III contract and presents how automation can be applied across the military refueling fleet.

CEO Robert Rose Stresses Civil-Military Dual Use Value

“Today's modern and next-generation warfighters must be capable of flight in any airspace environment," said Reliable Robotics CEO and Co-Founder Robert Rose. "That's why we are at the table helping the DOD develop the road map for next-generation aircraft autonomy because of our work with the FAA to certify the Reliable Autonomy System."

Rose emphasized that Reliable Robotics' dual-use approach—civilian and defense—makes its autonomy system most appropriate for the future requirements of the USAF. The USAF collaboration with Reliable Robotics is a significant step in the direction of creating scalable solutions that reduce human pilots on high-risk missions.

Embracing AI and Commercial Autonomy for Defense Readiness

The military is increasingly embracing AI-driven and autonomous platforms to fulfill mission needs, reduce the cost of operations, and minimize the threat to personnel. Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) technologies like RAS allow the DoD to benefit from a flexible, forward-looking architecture.

This CRADA is Reliable Robotics' investment in national defense objectives through autonomy in flight," Rose stated. "Autonomous collaborative platforms will expand the size of the fleet of aircraft and enhance combat capability while reducing cost and risk to human pilots. Reliable Robotics is uniquely poised to support the Department of Defense in bringing that vision to life."

Public-Private Collaboration Key to Future Military Aviation

The collaboration with Reliable Robotics USAF is symptomatic of growing private sector investment in shaping the future of military aviation. Having a proven record of commercial operations and intimate working relationships with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Reliable is well placed to help the USAF modernize its autonomous aviation infrastructure.

As combat operations become more complex and expansive in nature, achievements like these will be critical to enabling safe, effective, and flexible air mobility in contested global environments.