US Army CH-47F Chinook helicopter achieves first autonomous landing without pilot intervention

A technological feat. A US Army CH-47F Chinook helicopter has just performed its first-ever “fully automated landing” using “Approach-to-X” (A2X) technology developed by Boeing, according to Army Recognition.

During the flight test, the helicopter landed with all four wheels on the runway using an improved version of Boeing’s Digital Automated Flight Control System (DAFCS) software, without any pilot intervention. This progress is part of the US Army’s approach to optimizing survivability and minimizing pilot workload in contested environments.

A2X software is designed to enable “automated tactical approaches” consistent with the pilot’s flight preferences, thereby increasing mission reliability. “We designed the interface and control laws based on how pilots would naturally fly an approach. Our goal is for crews to be able to maintain better visual awareness of the exterior in a tactical situation,” commented Deanna DiBernardi, human factors engineering manager for the Boeing H-47.

Pilots can intervene to adjust the trajectory

In operation, crews choose the landing zone, set the final altitude, either in flight or on the ground, and determine the approach angle and departure speed. The system then guides the helicopter to the designated point, managing the necessary control actions. Pilots can intervene with manual controls to adjust the trajectory or descent plan if tactical conditions change.

This capability directly enhances the Chinook’s effectiveness in air assault, resupply and special operations missions, particularly in low visibility or nighttime environments.

Flight testing, which began in January 2026, enabled the system to perform more than 150 automated approaches with a positioning accuracy of less than 1.5 m, leading to this significant milestone. Further testing is planned to refine the software before its planned deployment across the entire Chinook fleet.

The US military has signed a contract with Boeing for six additional CH-47F Block II Chinook helicopters, worth $324 million. This follows previous purchases dating back to October 2025 for nine more CH-47F Block II Chinooks.