What She Does:
Amy Burns leads AFRL’s automatic collision avoidance technology initiative. As program manager and team lead, she develops aircraft systems and advances relevant technologies.
Her Biggest Accomplishment:
Burns led a team in developing the Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (Auto GCAS), a software update for digital flight control computers that prevents in-flight collisions. Initially loaded on F-16 aircraft, the Auto GCAS system has saved the lives of eight Air Force pilots since 2014.
Using GPS mapping, the system detects ground terrain and overrides the plane’s control system. Today, more than 600 F-16s utilize the software with plans for an additional 330 installations. A test program is underway to integrate Auto GCAS on the F-35. Meanwhile, AFRL wants to launch the software in other Air Force aircraft to save lives and preserve airplanes.
Why She Enjoys Her Work:
Burns asserts that the best part of her job is helping to transition technology [to the field].
“It is very rewarding to see that something I worked on (Auto GCAS) is making a difference and helping to save lives,” she said.
Burns takes pride in the fact that her work will impact future generations. She is optimistic that the technology will be beneficial for years to come.
“My hope is that it will be applied to many different aircraft and can continue to save lives,” she said.
Burns’ team also developed the Automatic Air Collision Avoidance System (Auto ACAS), which prevents mid-air collisions. After the Air Force integrated the two systems (Auto GCAS and ACAS) into a single package, successful flight testing occured in 2017. A requirement is in the works to install Auto ACAS on F-16s.
Her Advice:
As a female engineer, Burns belongs to a key demographic in the science and engineering workforce. She says that the best way to encourage young women is through outreach events that highlight the exciting career opportunities.
As a child, Burns recalls that she was fascinated with airplanes and technology. In school, she excelled in math and science. Then during college, she interned with a contractor and developed path-finding algorithms for unmanned air vehicles. After graduating with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in aerospace engineering, she began her career in AFRL’s Air Vehicles Technology Assessment and Simulation (AVTAS) Laboratory.
She asserts that while engineering classes can be challenging, [the degree] is well worth the effort. “Once you have graduated with an engineering degree, there are many different opportunities that you can pursue,” she said.