Aircraft That Flies Itself to Be Tested in UK Airspace

A spokesperson for British Aerospace (BAE) has announced that the company will be launching 17 flights in UK airspace using a converted Jetstream 31 that, reportedly, doesn’t need a human pilot to operate. This dry-run is meant to test piloting software and sensor systems responsible for monitoring clouds and other aircraft in flight.

In order to pilot itself, the Jetstream will use satellite data and an on-board identification system that records radio signal broadcasts. The aircraft will also include a camera able to identify other aircraft users even if they aren’t sending out warning signals.

To read more on this story, go to BBC.

[Photo: BAE]