A pilot project with unmanned cargo flights is starting in the US. The cargo planes should connect the US city of Albuquerque with other communities in the Four Corners region, improving both the safety and efficiency of cargo flights.
This is a project by US developer of autonomous aircraft systems Reliable Robotics in collaboration with the City of Albuquerque Aviation Department. The project is being carried out as part of the US Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Advanced Air Mobility Integration Pilot Program (eIPP).
The cargo flights will be operated by Reliable Airlines, a subsidiary of Reliable Robotics. The flights will take place from Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) to Durango-La Plata County Airport (DRO) and Santa Fe Regional Airport (SAF). These airports are located in the so-called Four Corners region, which borders the US states of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah.
Reliable Autonomy System
Reliable Robotics is the developer of the Reliable Autonomy System, which allows aircraft to operate fully autonomously. The system uses an always-active autopilot, which operates during all phases of flight ranging from taxiing and take-off to flying and landing. In the video below from May 2025, Reliable Robotics tests automatic landing.
The system uses radar, lidar and optical systems, among others, to map its surroundings in real time. Using artificial intelligence (AI), the Reliable Autonomy System analyses the collected data. This allows the system, among other things, to avoid obstacles and optimise its flight path for such purposes as efficiency.
Independent traffic conflict resolution
The Reliable Autonomy System also includes a Detect and Avoid (DAA) system, which ensures that the aircraft independently detects and resolves traffic conflicts. This system uses radar and the FAA's Advanced Collision Avoidance System X (ACAS X) to identify other aircraft, drones or obstacles in the air.
In case of a detected conflict, the system independently adjusts course, altitude or speed to avoid collisions, complying with FAA safety standards. In addition, the flight is remotely monitored by a human pilot, who can intervene if necessary. The technology can be implemented without modifications to existing airports or aircraft.
Military flights
In addition to autonomous cargo flights, Reliable Robotics is also focusing on military applications. For instance, the US Air Force recently signed an agreement with the company to build and deploy a commercial aircraft with 'dual-use autonomy' in the Indo-Pacific region. This aircraft should demonstrate how the company's technology enables autonomous logistics operations for military purposes.
