MacCready Works Advanced Solutions
Where Autonomous Defense Systems Are Born
MacCready Works is AV’s advanced development group — building breakthrough autonomous technologies that give warfighters decisive advantage.
From vision-based navigation to next-generation robotic platforms, MacCready Works turns bold ideas into operational capability.
Build Fast. Test Relentlessly. Deploy Advantage.
Small teams. Rapid prototyping. Real-world testing.
MacCready Works moves breakthrough technologies from concept to operational capability at mission speed.
- Autonomous systems for contested environments
- AI-enabled perception and navigation
- Cross-domain robotic platforms
- Rapid prototyping and experimentation
Breakthrough Engineering
Solving the Hardest Problems
Autonomy Without GPS
Vision-based navigation for denied environments.
Distributed Robotic Systems
Autonomous platforms operating collaboratively across domains.
Launch Anywhere Platforms
Aircraft designed for ships, vehicles, and austere locations.
Innovation in Action
Breakthrough Programs
Wildcat
A next-generation VTOL aircraft designed to launch and recover from naval vessels, expanding distributed maritime operations for the U.S. Navy.
ARK
A modular autonomy payload delivering advanced AI and mission capabilities to existing unmanned aircraft systems.
Vision-Based Navigation
Autonomous flight technology enabling unmanned systems to operate effectively in GPS-denied environments.
Ingenuity Mars Helicopter
Rotor and propulsion technology that enabled the first powered flight on another planet—demonstrating the extreme capabilities of MacCready Works engineering.
Inspired by a Legacy of Firsts
Dr. Paul B. MacCready, Jr., founded AV to prove that engineering creativity could solve the world’s hardest problems.
His teams created:
- The first human-powered aircraft to cross the English Channel
- Solar-powered aircraft capable of sustained flight
- Robotic systems now used by militaries worldwide
- 7 innovations in the Smithsonian
That same spirit of experimentation drives our mission today: Do the impossible first.
Partnerships
Bring Us the Hard Missions
MacCready Works partners with defense organizations, research institutions, and technology companies to rapidly develop next-generation autonomous systems.
