The National Aeronautic Association has bestowed one of its highest recognitions, the 2020 Robert J. Collier Trophy, for Garmin’s Autoland. The first certified autonomous system of its kind, Autoland was selected over a competitive field of nominees that included the Bell V-280 Valor, SpaceX Falcon 9 and Dragon 2, Boeing Confident Travel Initiative, Reliable Robotics Remotely Operated Aircraft System, U.S. Air Force Green Propellant Infusion Mission Team, and Yates Electrospace’s Silent Arrow.
Considered a benchmark in aerospace advancement, the NAA annually presents the Collier Trophy in recognition of “the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America, with respect to improving performance, efficiency, safety in air or space vehicles, the value of which has been thoroughly demonstrated by actual use during the preceding year.”
AIN Editor-in-chief Matt Thurber discusses the project with Phil Straub, Garmin’s Executive v-p and managing director of aviation.