ONR Historical Timeline 2020-2030

The Office of Naval Research Innovative Naval Prototype program, in partnership with the technology company Aurora Flight Sciences, created the Autonomous Aerial Cargo/Utility System (AACUS). AACUS enables the Marine Corps to rapidly resupply forces on the front lines using cutting-edge technology sponsored by ONR. The system consists of a sensor and software package that can be integrated into any manned or unmanned rotary-wing aircraft to detect and avoid obstacles (like telephone wires, other vehicles or large ground objects) in unfavorable weather conditions, or to facilitate autonomous, unmanned flight.