Beacon AI has brought its AFWERX contract to a successful close by prototyping and validating a sophisticated pilot assistance system intended for crucial stages of flight, a company release has confirmed. The project was a collaborative venture with several U.S. Air Force partners, including AFWERX, the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL), and the 6th Air Refueling Wing.

According to the announcement, the system’s development began with an extensive simulator phase. During this period, U.S. Air Force mobility pilots engaged in numerous testing sessions to provide critical feedback. This foundational work led to a two-week live flight test campaign. The campaign involved twelve flights conducted across the United States in a range of weather and airspace situations, with several originating from MacDill Air Force Base. The company stated that these real-world exercises successfully validated key features of the system.

A significant achievement during the testing was a successful mid-flight software update delivered via over-the-air technology, an accomplishment described as a possible industry first. “Aviation software updates typically happen on a scale measured in years or even decades,” mentioned Matt Cox, CEO of Beacon AI. He added, “Creating improvements and executing a mid-flight over-the-air update within hours demonstrates the kind of rapid, agile software development that the Department of Defense will increasingly require.”

The release noted that throughout the tests, the Beacon AI system provided active support to pilots. This included confirming the aircraft’s configuration, aiding with performance calculations, and helping to execute numerous procedural steps for taxi, takeoff, and landing. This support reportedly boosted pilot confidence and overall safety. The performance of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite communication system was highlighted as a critical element that enabled both real-time demonstrations and the innovative in-flight software update.

Cox also suggested that the capabilities developed and proven during this initiative could have played a role in preventing some recent aviation incidents and near-misses that have been in the news. “With aviation safety and modernization of air traffic control systems becoming ever more critical, we’re proud to be building solutions that genuinely improve flight safety,” he stated. “This is important work.”