Building Autonomy: Honeywell's Legacy and Future

Pioneering Autonomy from Day One

Autonomy has long been part of aviation’s trajectory, with Honeywell shaping that path from the beginning. Our story goes back to 1914, when Lawrence Sperry introduced the gyroscopic stabilizer, laying the groundwork for the first autopilot.

What followed were decades of breakthroughs in sensors, actuators, avionics and AI-enabled flight systems. At every stage, Honeywell has helped define what’s possible.

“Sensors and navigation systems have always generated rich data, but now, with more powerful processors and smarter software, we can use that data to make real-time decisions,” says Ann Witt, Senior Director of Business Development, Advanced Programs at Honeywell Aerospace Technologies. “It reduces the workload on pilots by allowing machines to handle complex calculations so they can focus on mission-critical thinking.”

Witt, who has worked primarily in defense navigation and sensors since 1999, explains that Honeywell’s unique strength is the ability to integrate data from across systems: flight management, air data, radar altimeters and more.

“Honeywell has long been an original manufacturer and innovator in this space. We understand how to get more out of the sensor data than just the basics.”

Today, our technologies support some of the most vital systems in flight. Automatic flight control systems manage core functions to ease pilot workload. Full authority digital engine control (FADEC) keeps engines operating at peak performance without requiring manual input. These innovations are foundational to the way autonomous aviation operates today.

Safety, Simplicity and Smarter Systems

At the core of Honeywell’s autonomy leadership is one mission: make aviation safer and smarter.

Our automatic flight control systems manage altitude, speed and heading with precision. Flight management systems (FMS) streamline planning and navigation. FADEC oversees engines in real-time, reducing human error and enhancing performance.

Advanced safety technologies like our enhanced ground proximity warning system (EGPWS), traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS) and weather radar keep pilots ahead of hazards, offering early alerts and actionable guidance.

Resilience in Every Environment

Today’s autonomous aircraft need resilience as much as intelligence. That’s why Honeywell integrates global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) and inertial navigation inputs (INS) to deliver fault-tolerant, autonomous point-to-point flight. This approach supports everything from advanced air mobility vehicles to uncrewed systems and high-stakes military applications.

Innovation That Keeps Going

Honeywell’s journey doesn’t stop at legacy systems, continuing to deliver next-gen solutions like the AI-enabled Honeywell Anthem flight deck, built for simplified vehicle operations and next-level situational awareness.

We’re also leveraging predictive maintenance platforms, like Honeywell Ensemble, that use AI to reduce downtime, extend aircraft life and keep operations smooth.

“Advanced processors and software will enable us to use data in new ways to make autonomous decisions and reduce the workload on human pilots,” says Witt. “Autonomous systems can process data faster and make decisions quicker than humans. Enormous volumes of data are readily available from advanced navigation sensors like gyroscopes and accelerometers, which allow for calculations of the aircraft’s position, direction and speed.”

“We provide six degrees of freedom data,” Witt adds, “so the system knows exactly where the aircraft is in space – how it’s tilted, how fast it’s turning, its spatial orientation.”

It’s this fusion of AI, data and real-time decision-making that’s powering the next evolution of autonomous flight.

A Legacy That Looks Forward

For over a century, Honeywell has helped shape autonomous aviation. We’ve done it through trust, proven safety and a deep understanding of how pilots and machines collaborate and co-exist.

“Autonomy isn't about replacing pilots. It’s about helping them,” Witt says. “By offloading some of the lower-value decisions, we allow pilots to focus on what matters most. That’s not just safer – it’s the future of flight.”

Now, as autonomous aviation scales and matures, we continue to lead the charge with systems that are smarter, safer and built to meet the future.