The House Armed Services Committee is seeking to accelerate development of the MQ-9 Reaper's automatic takeoff and landing capabilities with a recommended increase of $35 million in the fiscal year 2017 defense policy bill. The Air Force's FY-17 budget request included $151.4 million for development of MQ-9 capabilities, but did not include funding for development of ATLC. The software-based autopilot system would allow takeoffs and landings at full operational limits, provide auto-abort and divert capabilities which are not currently available...
