Are We Ready for Autonomy?

Autonomy in aviation is no longer theoretical. It’s operational. But unlocking its full potential demands trust, infrastructure and a mindset shift across the entire aviation ecosystem.

“The shift is happening now,” says Howard Woods, Honeywell’s Global Strategy and Business Director for Military AAM. “The mindset is already there within the industry. What we need now is to get capability into the operators’ hands faster—and that includes public and regulatory confidence.”

That confidence will come not from speculation, but from real-world applications that shape everything from maintenance to mission strategy.

Proven in the Field: Autonomy in Action

Across sectors, autonomous aviation systems are already demonstrating their value.

• In China, the eHang EH216-S received clearance to fly human passengers on sightseeing tours, which is an operational milestone for uncrewed air taxis.
  
  
• The MQ-9 Reaper Replacement flies autonomous ISR and combat missions, proving its reliability in complex, high-risk environments.
  
  
• Honeywell Ensemble uses real-time data and AI to predict maintenance needs, keeping aircraft in service longer and with fewer disruptions.
  
  
• Honeywell Anthem, a cloud-connected, AI-enabled flight deck, delivers simplified vehicle operations (SVOs) that reduce pilot workload and increase situational awareness.

“Autonomy is all about safety and reducing pilot workload,” says David Shilliday, VP and GM of Advanced Air Mobility at Honeywell. “It’s about enhancing decision-making and unlocking new possibilities for aircraft operations.”

Overcoming the Real Barriers

Even as technology proves itself, adoption depends on more than engineering.

“Automation reallocates tasks humans don’t do well, like staying alert for hours. Machines don’t get tired. They don’t miss radio calls,” Woods explains. “And we’re already seeing a shift in mindset—not just in operators, but also in the public.”

Still, trust takes time, along with regulatory evolution. The gap between what machines can do and what’s legally permitted is slow in adoption. But as Woods points out, this isn’t new:

“Aircraft like the F-14 could land themselves on a carrier 30 years ago. But pilots didn’t trust it—yet. It took real experience to make that shift. Now, hands-free carrier landings are standard.”

Rethinking the Business Model

Bringing autonomy to life at scale requires reimagining how the aviation industry delivers innovation. From certification timelines to production models, the systems that bring these capabilities to market must evolve just as rapidly as the technologies themselves.

“We’re not just building better systems,” says Woods. “We’re collapsing business processes to get capability out faster. Because it doesn’t matter how good your widget is—if it takes five years to deliver, you’ve missed the mark.”

With that growing sense of urgency, meeting demand will require bold shifts in how we build, certify and deliver innovation: at the speed of operational need.

Redefining What ‘Ready’ Looks Like

“The future isn’t a sky full of just manned aircraft,” Woods says. “It’s one human-flown platform supported by five, ten—or even more—intelligent, uncrewed vehicles. That’s not a dream. It’s already happening.”

So, are we ready?

From a technology standpoint, yes. From a cultural and operational standpoint, we’re in progress. The pieces are in motion to shift the skies fast.

Getting to full readiness now depends on how we close the gap: accelerating certification, building public trust and retooling the ecosystem to deploy autonomy at scale.