Abstract: The stabilized controllable drogue for an inflight aerial refueling system includes a reception coupling, a paradrogue frame, a drogue canopy, and a plurality of actuators for moving the drogue canopy in a desired direction to control, steer and stabilize the stabilized controllable drogue during turbulent conditions.

Abstract: The stabilized controllable drogue for an inflight aerial refueling system includes a reception coupling, a paradrogue frame, a drogue canopy, and a plurality of actuators for moving the drogue canopy in a desired direction to control, steer and stabilize the stabilized controllable drogue during turbulent conditions.

Abstract: The variable speed drogue includes a plurality of leading edge struts and trailing edge struts pivotally mounted to a refueling coupling member, and a drogue canopy connected between the trailing ends of the leading edge and trailing edge struts. A spring and an articulated strut brace assembly are connected between each of the leading edge and trailing edge struts. A center strut is pivotally connected to the trailing end of each leading edge strut, and each center strut includes a free end connected to a center portion of the canopy drogue. The drogue canopy is connected to the trailing ends of the leading edge and trailing edge struts such that the drogue canopy is movable between a radially inward position and a radially outward position, to provide substantially constant loads on the drogue within the range of refueling speeds.

Abstract: The passive variable speed drogue includes an articulated center strut lever linkage assembly pivotally connected between adjacent pairs of center struts and trailing edge struts, biased by an extension spring mounted to the center strut to move the center strut to a required stop position to maintain substantially constant loads on the drogue within a range of refueling speeds, and to permit improved interfacing of the variable speed drogue assembly with a stowage tube. A center strut bumper on the center strut also provides improved interfacing of the variable speed drogue assembly with a stowage tube.

Abstract: The aerial refueling drogue utilizes a bleeding drogue canopy providing substantially constant loads over a range of refueling speeds, by passive movement of the bleeding drogue between a retracted position and and extended position. The passive variable speed drogue comprises leading edge support arms, center support arms, and trailing edge support arms mounted to a refueling coupling member, with a forward drogue canopy attached between the leading edge support arms and the center support arms. An aft bleeding drogue canopy is connected between the center support arms and the trailing edge support arms. Springs in the trailing edge support arms bias the bleeding drogue canopy to a retracted position. In an alternate embodiment, cords are attached to the trailing edge of the aft bleeding drogue canopy, continue through the trailing edge support arms, up each center support arm, and through rings attached to the inside of the aft bleeding drogue canopy.

Abstract: The variable speed drogue for use with an inflight aerial refueling system includes a refueling coupling for receiving a refueling probe. A plurality of trailing edge support arms are pivotally mounted to the trailing edge portion of the refueling coupling, projecting rearwardly, and a plurality of leading edge support arms are pivotally connected to the refueling coupling forward and outward of the trailing edge support arms. A drogue canopy is connected between the trailing ends of the leading and trailing edge support arms, presenting a projected area, to provide drag. A plurality of cord linkages are secured at one end to the leading edge of the drogue canopy, and are connected at their other end to a rear cord ring mounted to the trailing edge portion of the refueling coupling member.

Abstract: The variable speed drogue for use with an inflight aerial refueling system includes a refueling coupling for receiving a refueling probe. A plurality of trailing edge support arms are pivotally mounted to the trailing edge portion of the refueling coupling, projecting rearwardly, a plurality of pivot linkage members are pivotally connected to the trailing edge portion of the refueling coupling, and a plurality of leading edge support arms are pivotally connected to the pivot linkages. A mechanism is also provided for uniformly and symmetrically longitudinally changing the pivot points of the leading edge support arms to change the projected area of the drogue canopy.