L. Pester

A general concept of air-to-air refuelling for unmanned receiver aircraft is outlined in this paper based on available specifications and operational guidelines, with two real-life projects discussed in more detail. The concept and prototyping of two key technologies are presented. First, the automatic formation flight between a manned tanker and an unmanned receiver with special focus on the flight control concept of the speed and position autopilot and mitigation of measurement inaccuracies. Second, an automatic three-dimensional separation concept for the receiver. Both have been validated by a first flight test. The control of the receiver was successfully transferred from the ground control station to the tanker. The receiver based automatic safe separation has been demonstrated, triggered intentionally by operator input and unintentionally by data link losses during the flight test.

Deutscher Luft- und Raumfahrtkongress 2023, Stuttgart

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Luft- und Raumfahrt - Lilienthal-Oberth e.V., Bonn, 2023

Conference Paper

englisch

21,0 x 29,7 cm, 12 Seiten

urn:nbn:de:101:1-2023112913522807844279

10.25967/610404

Air-to-Air Refuelling, Formation Flight

Download - Bitte beachten Sie die Nutzungsbedingungen dieses Dokuments: Copyright protected

Pester, L. (2023): On the Way to Autonomous Air-to-Air Refuelling for Unmanned Receivers - Concept, Prototype Implementation and Flight Test of two Key Technologies. Deutsche Gesellschaft für Luft- und Raumfahrt - Lilienthal-Oberth e.V.. (Text). https://doi.org/10.25967/610404. urn:nbn:de:101:1-2023112913522807844279.

29.11.2023