Ribbit and the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) have conducted a search-and-rescue exercise near Ottawa in which an autonomous airplane and helicopter worked under the direction of a single mission commander.
The demonstration paired Ribbit’s Cessna 150 with an NRC-operated Bell 412EP helicopter.
Simulated drones also participated, adding aircraft to the mission without requiring additional physical platforms.
During the exercise, the Cessna searched for a missing person and adjusted its flight plan using a shared picture of the operation.
After the person was located, the helicopter carried out the evacuation portion of the scenario while the airplane remained overhead to monitor the area.
Both aircraft flew autonomously, although safety pilots were aboard.
A single human commander directed the overall mission across the real and simulated aircraft.
The work brings together Ribbit’s fixed-wing autonomy technology and the NRC’s research into autonomous helicopter operations through the council’s Drone Innovation Hub.
According to Ribbit, the exercise followed more than three years of cooperation with the NRC, including contracted testing for potential civilian and military applications in public safety, tactical aviation, and joint operations.
Canada Advances Airborne Surveillance Plans
Alongside research into autonomous flight, Canada is pursuing new aircraft to strengthen its ability to monitor and respond to threats across its territory.
Saab and Canada’s Defence Investment Agency signed a preliminary agreement to begin negotiations over six GlobalEye airborne early warning and control aircraft for the Royal Canadian Air Force.
The proposed acquisition includes associated equipment, training, and support.
Talks will establish the aircraft configuration and program delivery arrangements.
Intended to strengthen surveillance over the Arctic and other remote regions, the aircraft would detect distant threats and help coordinate a response.
Their missions would also support Canada’s commitments to NORAD and NATO.