https://timesofsandiego.com/military/2024/02/14/air-force-oks-autonomous-cargo-flights-across-california-after-successful-test/ Close * HOMES * JOBS Search for: [ ] Search * All Articles * Politics * Crime * Business * Sports * Education * Arts * Military * Tech * Health * Life * Opinion * Obituaries * Press Releases * About * Staff * Contact * Support * Advertise * Post an Obituary * Media Kit * FAQ * Privacy Policy * Terms of Service * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * RSS Close Skip to content * About * Staff * Contact * Support * Advertise * Post an Obituary * Media Kit * FAQ * Privacy Policy * Terms of Service * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * RSS Times of San Diego Times of San Diego Local News and Opinion for San Diego * HOMES * JOBS Open Search Search for: [ ] Search Menu * All Articles * Politics * Crime * Business * Sports * Education * Arts * Military * Tech * Health * Life * Opinion * Obituaries * Press Releases Home >> Military >> Air Force OKs Autonomous Cargo Flights Across California After Successful Test Posted inMilitary Air Force OKs Autonomous Cargo Flights Across California After Successful Test Avatar photo by Chris Jennewein 16 hours agoFebruary 15, 2024 Share this: * Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window) * Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) * Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) * Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) * Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) * Click to print (Opens in new window) * Xwing cargo aircraftMilitary personnel inspect an Xwing cargo aircraft. Courtesy Xwing The U.S. Air Force has authorized San Francisco-based Xwing to transport time-sensitive cargo across California on autonomous aircraft. The authorization follows a two-week demonstration totaling over 2,800 flight miles to civilian and military airports, including March Air Reserve Base, Vandenberg Space Force Base, Sacramento McClellan Airport, Meadows Field Airport, and Fresno Yosemite International Airport. The missions involved a self-flying single-engine Cessna 208B Grand Caravan that can carry 3,000 pounds of cargo. Get Times of San Diego Daily by Email We'll send you the top local news stories every morning at 8 a.m. [ ] Subscribe By clicking subscribe, you agree to share your email address with Times of San Diego to receive our free newsletter and breaking news alerts. We won't use your email for any other purpose, and you can opt out at any time via an unsubscribe link. Processing... Success! You're on the list. Whoops! There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. Please reload the page and try again. This aircraft delivered sensitive weather equipment and other critical cargo to different airports from Jan. 22 to Feb. 4, demonstrating faster delivery and requiring fewer flights by traditional heavy-lift transports. "The use of Xwing's autonomous aircraft eliminated the need to fly a larger aircraft such as a C-130 to deliver critical cargo to the warfighter on short notice," said Maxime Gariel, president, chief technical officer and co-founder of Xwing. Autonomous aircraft are key to the Air Force's agile combat employment concept, which would disperse aircraft and equipment across island airfields in the Pacific Ocean amid a major war in the region. Xwing's technology allows ground controllers to operate uncrewed aircraft in any airspace, including busy Southern California during the test. [Uncropped-] Support Times of San Diego With the generous support of readers like you, Times of San Diego publishes timely and accurate news coverage for a better-informed community. Help us grow with a monthly contribution. Become a supporter [INS::INS] [INS::INS] [INS::INS] Tagged: Air Force, autonomous aircraft, Cessna Grand Caravan, Xwing Avatar photo Chris Jennewein Chris Jennewein is Editor & Publisher of Times of San Diego. More by Chris Jennewein GET TIMES OF SAN DIEGO BY EMAIL Our free newsletter is delivered at 8 a.m. daily. Enter address: [ ] [Sign Up] Leave this field empty if you're human: [ ] LATEST NEWS SDSU Baseball, Prepping for 'Foundational' Year, Pegged to Finish Fourth in Preseason Poll SDSU Baseball, Prepping for 'Foundational' Year, Pegged to Finish Fourth in Preseason Poll Navy's Newest San Diego-Built Warship Is a Forward-Deployed Sea Base as Big as a Carrier Navy's Newest San Diego-Built Warship Is a Forward-Deployed Sea Base as Big as a Carrier Need Cash? 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