US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), in a joint effort with NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, performed the first-ever autonomous probe-and-drogue airborne refueling operation August 30, at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. The demonstration was conducted with a NASA F/A-18 configured to operate as an unmanned test bed.
The Autonomous Airborne Refueling Demonstration (AARD) system used GPS-based relative navigation, coupled with an optical tracker, to provide the precise positioning required to put a refueling probe into the center of a 32-inch basket dangling in the air stream behind an airborne tanker. The tanker was equipped with a small relative navigation pallet, but production refueling equipment was not modified in any way. Pilots were on board the F/A-18 for safety purposes.
Autonomous in-flight refueling is a critical enabler for affordable, persistent, unmanned strike systems.
Germany says adding explosive drones to weapons arsenal
Germany said Friday it would buy explosive drones for the first time as Berlin boosts investments in its armed forces...
