U.S. AIR FORCE BACKS JUMP AERO RESEARCH INTO ELECTRONIC PARACHUTE FOR EVTOL AIRCRAFT
Future Flight
Jump Aero and the California Institute of Technology have completed a U.S. Air Force-backed research contract to develop and test a so-called “electronic parachute” to support safe eVTOL aircraft operations. The work, which was conducted under a Phase II Small Business Technology Transfer contract, focused on the use of an adaptive flight controller pre-trained in simulation for various failure scenarios using a machine-learned neural network. The work was part of the USAF's Afwerx program to evaluate possible military applications for eVTOL aircraft.
According to Jump Aero, the technology should enable new aircraft to continue flying safely and under full control in the event of in-flight damage. The California-based company is developing its JA1 Pulse eVTOL aircraft, primarily for use in emergency medical services.