First Autonomous Logistics Mission by AFWERX Autonomy Prime Partners in AGILE FLAG Exercise

Xwing Inc., a partner in the AFWERX Autonomy Prime program, made headlines recently by conducting the first-ever autonomous logistics mission during the Air Force exercise AGILE FLAG 24-1 at McClellan Airfield in Sacramento, California, on January 26, 2024.

The autonomous flight was part of a series of demonstrations carried out by Autonomy Prime partners, including Reliable Robotics and Xwing, from January 26 to February 1, 2024.

AFWERX Autonomy Prime deputy branch chief, Kate Brown, stated that the Agile Flag demonstrations were considered successful, and exercise leadership showed support in utilizing autonomous cargo logistics for various cargo movements during the exercise. Brown noted a perceived shift in discussions regarding how the Department of the Air Force could supplement traditional logistics concepts with autonomous cargo aircraft.

Autonomy Prime, a technology program within AFWERX, collaborates with private sector partners to expedite testing and deliver cost-effective, innovative technology to the military. Both Reliable Robotics and Xwing have been awarded Small Business Innovation Research Phase Two and Phase Three contracts by AFWERX to conduct autonomous flight trials and demonstrate their capabilities in operationally relevant environments.

Maj. Gen. David Lyons, 15th Air Force commander, observed autonomous flight demonstrations by Reliable Robotics and Xwing during AGILE FLAG, exploring how autonomous aviation aligns with the Agile Combat Employment (ACE) concept. ACE aims to disperse aircraft and equipment between major hub bases and smaller airfields to enhance resilience and survivability.

AFWERX Prime stakeholder engagement lead, Ian Clowes, emphasized the organization's goal of integrating emerging and operationally relevant technologies into the hands of warfighters. Autonomy Prime used AGILE FLAG as an opportunity to showcase how autonomous aviation can contribute to the ACE concept.

Xwing successfully completed multiple autonomous logistics missions during AGILE FLAG, and its aircraft flew over 2,800 autonomous flight miles to various military bases and civilian airports throughout California. Reliable Robotics also demonstrated its autonomous capabilities during the exercise.

The autonomous missions turned operationally relevant when Airmen needed an aircraft to transport equipment from March Air Reserve Base to McClellan Airfield. Xwing's Cessna 208B successfully completed the first autonomous cargo flight during the Air Force exercise, marking a significant achievement.

Master Sgt. Cody Jurgensmeyer, 4th Fighter Wing armament division chief, acknowledged the potential of autonomous capabilities for the Air Force, stating that the technology has real-world possibilities and could benefit the service by providing autonomous capabilities to existing assets.

At the conclusion of AGILE FLAG, Autonomy Prime plans to collect data to validate the concept of using autonomous logistics aircraft in an ACE construct. The results will be analyzed and briefed to Air Force leadership. Autonomy Prime aims to further investigate integration into future exercises to refine concepts of operations and use-cases while collaborating with requirements owners and vendors to inform future needs.