The F-35 Is Getting Life-Saving Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance Systems from the F-16

July 25, 2019

William Kucinski

The fifth-generation Lockheed Martin F-35 Lighting II  stealth multirole fighter is now a safer aircraft to fly thanks to collision avoidance technology originally developed by NASA  and the Air Force Research Laboratory  for the fourth-generation F-16 Fighting Falcon . The F-35 Joint Program Office , U.S. Air Force , and Lockheed Martin Aeronautics  are currently integrating life-saving Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance Systems (Auto-GCAS) on USAF F-35As.

Auto-GCAS uses terrain mapping, geolocation, and automation to detect and avoid potential ground collisions in case of pilot spatial disorientation. When the program recognizes imminent impact, it prompts the pilot to take action. If the pilot is unresponsive, Auto-GCAS assumes temporary control and performs emergency maneuvers to avoid ground collision – returning control to the pilot once the aircraft is on a safe trajectory.

William Kucinski  is content editor at SAE International, Aerospace Products Group in Warrendale, Pa. Previously, he worked as a writer at the NASA Safety Center in Cleveland, Ohio and was responsible for writing the agency’s System Failure Case Studies. His interests include literally anything that has to do with space, past and present military aircraft, and propulsion technology.

Contact him regarding any article or collaboration ideas by e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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