The Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (Auto-GCAS) can help reduce the chance of an aircraft colliding with another the ground if the pilot has lost control. It is designed to reduce incidents of what is known as controlled flight into terrain, or CFIT. During high-g maneuvers, pilots can black out and lose control of the aircraft sending their aircraft spiraling toward the earth..
There are always going to be more crashes with military aircraft than civilian aircraft for a wide range of reasons. However, fighter jets have gotten far safer over time (gone are the days when half of the Air Force’s fleet of an aircraft type would be lost to mishaps ). New systems like Auto-GCAS are not silver bullets, but they are significant steps in reducing avoidable accidents and making flying ever safer.
How Auto-GCAS works
Auto-GCAS uses inputs from aircraft location, terrain mapping, and automation to avoid ground collisions. When a ground collision is imminent, it warns the pilot and if the pilot doesn’t respond, Auto-GCAS will take control and maneuver to avoid a ground collision. If the pilot has regained awareness, the system returns control to the pilot once the aircraft is back on a safe trajectory.
Photo: Staff Sgt. Jesenia Landaverde | US Air Force