Originally Posted by
llondel
When doing a forced landing, is the aircraft equipped with sensors to allow it to spot the optimum spot to land given that there may be traffic on the ground? In picking which patch of water, would the computer be able to see all the boats/ferries/whatever? If deciding to land on a highway, could it do its best to pick an empty patch and be mindful of lamp posts and other street furniture?
Yes, the technology exists, has been trialled (see my link previously to the autonomous trial Blackhawk)
Incidentally, it could do it in the dark or IMC too....
Re forced landings, you get what you are given.
If there had been boats on the river, Sully would have hit them. His choices were limited.