Wednesday, March 9, 2011

A First, Autonomous In-Flight Refueling Between Two Unmanned Aircraft



Video: Drones Perform Closest-Ever Autonomous Refueling Maneuver -- Popular Science

In a recent test of autonomous in-flight refueling, two unmanned aircraft flew within 40 feet of each other at an altitude of 45,000 feet, an aviation record. A Northrop Grumman Proteus test aircraft crept up on a NASA Global Hawk, testing wake turbulence and engine performance in the stratosphere. The test is a step toward teams of drones flying in formation, for refueling or other purposes.

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More News On The Autonomous Aerial Refueling Between Two UAVs

Landmark Flight Brings Program One Step Closer to Demonstrating Autonomous Aerial Refueling Between Two Unmanned Aircraft -- Northrup Grumman
Autonomous aerial refueling between UAVs -- Robots.net
Northrop Simulates Global Hawk Aerial Refueling -- Aviation Week

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