Bell Textron Unveils Aircraft Laboratory for Autonomous Flight Research

Bell Textron Inc., a subsidiary of Textron Inc., has unveiled its new Aircraft Laboratory for Future Autonomy (ALFA), designed to facilitate research into autonomous flight systems.

Developed by Bell's Advanced Programs team, ALFA is aimed at enhancing fly-by-wire operations and flight safety technologies.

The ALFA initiative is intended to explore the potential of autonomous flight and reduce pilot workload, potentially contributing to improved safety measures for Bell's commercial aircraft.

According to Jason Hurst, executive vice president of Engineering at Bell, the ALFA program will enable the company to expand its autonomous capabilities and further develop rotorcraft solutions for global operators. The laboratory's aircraft safety system is designed to separate safety and flight control functions, allowing for more rapid development and evaluation of flight control technologies.

The ALFA aircraft recently completed its first flight at Bell’s assembly and delivery facility in Mirabel, Quebec, Canada. It is now stationed at Bell’s Flight Research Center in Fort Worth, Texas, where further exploration and testing will be conducted.