Abstract: An adjustable nozzle is mounted on the airframe downstream from the powerplant for selectively directing powerplant exhaust to exit the aircraft at an angle between about rearward and downward. An electricity source mounted on the airframe powers a magnetically driven fan positioned in front of the powerplant in the fuselage.

Abstract: A system for autonomously keeping an aircraft's station in a formation flight of a plurality of aircraft includes a navigation system configured to determine a position of an aircraft. A data link is configured to allow the aircraft to communicate data with at least one other aircraft in the formation flight of the plurality of aircraft. A sensor is configured to detect a presence of another aircraft within a predetermined distance of the aircraft. A processor is configured to provide control signals to the aircraft's autoflight system to keep the aircraft at a predetermined station relative to the other of the plurality of aircraft in the formation flight.

Abstract: An optical system and method for positioning a first object with respect to a second object, such as a refueling aircraft and an unmanned air vehicle are provided with the system, including a pattern of reflectors, an optical receiver, an optical transmitter, and a processor. The method and system permit processing two dimensional images of reflected signals and ranging of the reflector to the transmitter. An optical transceiver may also be used instead of a discrete receiver and transmitter. The reflector may include a pattern of peripheral retroreflectors and limit-angle incident retroreflectors that only reflect light incident upon the retroreflector within a predefined range of incident angles.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for performing automated air refueling of uninhabited airborne vehicles (UAVs). The method and system includes any combination of a positioning system component, an air collision avoidance system (ACAS) component, a voice processing component, an image processing component, a flight controller, a wireless data link connecting the UAV with the tanker, and refueling components. The ACAS component receives position information of other aircraft, such as UAVs and tankers, over the wireless data link, and generates navigation instructions based on the received position information, and sends the generated navigation instructions to the flight controller. The refueling components include sensors that determine the status of the refueling components. Refueling of the UAV is based on the determined status.

Abstract: An optical system and method for positioning a first object with respect to a second object, such as a refueling aircraft and an unmanned air vehicle are provided with the system, including a pattern of reflectors, an optical receiver, an optical transmitter, and a processor. The method and system permit processing two dimensional images of reflected signals and ranging of the reflector to the transmitter. An optical transceiver may also be used instead of a discrete receiver and transmitter. The reflector may include a pattern of peripheral retroreflectors and limit-angle incident retroreflectors that only reflect light incident upon the retroreflector within a predefined range of incident angles.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for performing automated air refueling of uninhabited airborne vehicles (UAVs). The method and system includes any combination of a positioning system component, an air collision avoidance system (ACAS) component, a voice processing component, an image processing component, a flight controller, a wireless data link connecting the UAV with the tanker, and refueling components. The ACAS component receives position information of other aircraft, such as UAVs and tankers, over the wireless data link, and generates navigation instructions based on the received position information, and sends the generated navigation instructions to the flight controller. The refueling components include sensors that determine the status of the refueling components. Refueling of the UAV is based on the determined status.