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A Learjet, standing in for a Remotely Piloted Aircraft, flies into refueling position during Automated Aerial Refueling flights that tested Precision GPS algorithms and advanced sensors. (AFRL Image)
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Automated Aerial Refueling Team Tests Advanced Sensors
Posted 10/19/2012 Updated 11/16/2012
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by Holly Jordan, AFRL/RQOB
Aerospace Systems
10/19/2012 - WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Air Force Research Laboratory's (AFRL) Automated Aerial Refueling (AAR) team recently tested an updated Precision GPS (PGPS) algorithm, gathering valuable sensor data during a series of successful flight tests. The AAR program is developing technology to enable unmanned aircraft to refuel from manned tankers. Because this would be a new capability, there are no existing standards, meaning AFRL is not only developing technology solutions, but is also addressing long-term system acceptance considerations. One potential technical challenge to system certification is creation of a sensor dissimilar to the PGPS for an added layer of redundancy.
To address this issue, AAR researchers selected a variety of sensors for evaluation in two rounds of testing. First, an advanced electro-optical camera and a laser scanner were installed on a Learjet, which acted as a surrogate RPA and was flown with a KC-135. In the second test, the team worked in conjunction with the US Navy's Unmanned Combat Air System (NUCAS) flight tests to collect data for evaluating the performance of a laser grid precision relative navigation system for close range formation flying and refueling operations. The laser grid was installed on a contractor tanker with a Learjet again acting as the surrogate RPA. The data collected will contribute to an analysis of alternatives should a non-GPS sensor be required for refueling certification.
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