The Boeing Company
Computer-vision-based autonomous or supervised- autonomous landing of aircraft

Abstract:

An apparatus for supporting an aircraft approaching an airfield runway of an airfield is provided. The apparatus obtains a current pose estimate of the aircraft relative to the airfield runway and determines, based on the current pose estimate of the aircraft, a plurality of proximate poses of the aircraft. The apparatus generates a plurality of images of the airfield runway from a plurality of expected points-of-view of the aircraft and acquires a real-time image of the airfield runway. The apparatus performs a comparison of the real-time image and the plurality of images to identify a best-match image from the plurality of images and generates, based on the best-match image, an updated current pose estimate of the aircraft. The apparatus outputs the updated current pose estimate to a flight control computer of the aircraft, for use in guidance of the aircraft on a final approach.