Apr 16, 2025 - Technology

Exclusive: Gecko Robotics, L3Harris partner on extended reality for aircraft maintenance

Colin Demarest

A 3D model of an AC-130. It's seen inside a software interface. — A digital model of a museum-owned AC-130. Photo: Courtesy of Gecko Robotics

Gecko Robotics and L3Harris Technologies are collaborating on an interactive virtual world where even the smallest aircraft dings, dents and defects can be diagnosed from the other side of the globe.

The big picture: Airframe availability and maintenance are crucial, but complicated by concepts like agile combat employment, which scatter supplies, manpower and expertise.

How it works: Thousands of super-sharp images are captured and stitched together in Gecko's Cantilever software, creating a digital twin of a single aircraft.

Maintainers, engineers and other experts can then interact with the 3D model from wherever they are.
Users can zoom in to inspect the finest of details: wiring, bolts, cracks, paint chips.
In a video shared with Axios, the shadow of a bug on the side of an AC-130 was clearly visible.

State of play: The software has undergone months of prototype testing with the U.S. military.

Go deeper: Gecko Robotics to expand its U.S. Navy gigs

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Exclusive: Gecko Robotics, L3Harris partner on extended reality for aircraft maintenance

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