GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas — Airbus U.S. Space & Defense has demonstrated the ability to transfer control of an unmanned logistics helicopter between geographically separated teams, with remote operators taking control from more than 20 kilometers away and safely handing it back to the primary test team.
The flight test, conducted on October 31, 2026, involved the UH-72 Logistics Connector, also designated as the MQ-72C. A remote team used a Man-Packable Control System tablet connected to the ground control system to command the aircraft through several autonomous behaviors before returning control to the primary ground station.
The demonstration marks the seventh flight test of the program and supports the development of an autonomous logistics aircraft designed to transport critical supplies for U.S. Marines operating from dispersed locations.
Flight Test Demonstrates New Capabilities
The test was conducted by Airbus in collaboration with Shield AI, L3Harris Technologies and Parry Labs. The companies integrated their technologies into the aircraft, including Shield AI's Hivemind autonomy software.
The team also demonstrated precise autonomous takeoffs and landings, improved beyond-line-of-sight connectivity and validated thermal-management modifications designed to support operations in high-temperature environments.
Airbus U.S. Space & Defense CEO Alex Veneziano said the test represents an important step toward providing Marines with an autonomous logistics capability to move supplies where they are needed. He added that transferring control between geographically separated teams could support operations in challenging environments.
Supporting Marine Corps Logistics Operations
The unmanned aircraft is being developed under the Aerial Logistics Connector Middle Tier of Acquisition Rapid Prototyping Program, which is currently in its third year.
The program aims to produce prototypes for Marine Corps operational demonstrations and experiments. The aircraft is intended to support logistics operations involving ship-to-ship, ship-to-coast and contested battlefield supply movements.
The initiative began with a Phase I Other Transaction Authority agreement awarded to Airbus by Naval Air Systems Command in April 2024, through the Naval Aviation Systems Consortium.
The program is part of broader U.S. Department of Defense efforts to maintain secure and distributed logistics networks during potential conflicts with peer or near-peer adversaries.
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