Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed and include a processor configured to execute instructions stored in a nontransitory computer-readable medium. The instructions include generating first message authentication code (MAC) bytes based on a shared secret key. The instructions include generating first nonce bytes and an authenticated packet based on the first MAC bytes, the first nonce bytes, and a message byte. The instructions include generating a de-whitened tone byte based on the shared secret key. The instructions include generating a message packet that includes the authenticated packet and the de-whitened tone byte. Generating the message packet includes pseudo-randomly identifying a first location of the authenticated packet and inserting the de-whitened tone byte at the first location.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed and include a processor configured to execute instructions stored in a nontransitory computer-readable medium. The instructions include generating first message authentication code (MAC) bytes based on a shared secret key. The instructions include generating first nonce bytes and an authenticated packet based on the first MAC bytes, the first nonce bytes, and a message byte. The instructions include generating a de-whitened tone byte based on the shared secret key. The instructions include generating a message packet that includes the authenticated packet and the de-whitened tone byte. Generating the message packet includes pseudo-randomly identifying a first location of the authenticated packet and inserting the de-whitened tone byte at the first location.

Abstract: An airborne object positioning system including a radiation emitter, a radiation receiver and a signal processor. Then the radiation emitter is adapted to direct radiation to a positioning area a defined distance from the radiation emitter, the radiation carrying a modulated location signal containing information corresponding to positions within the positioning area. The radiation receiver is adapted to receive at least a portion of the emitted radiation carrying the modulated signal and output a signal to the signal processor indicative of the modulation of the location signal of the received radiation. And the signal processor is adapted to process the outputted signal and identify a position within the positioning area indicative of the location in the positioning area of the received radiation.

Abstract: An airborne tracking system including a radiation emitter, a radiation receiver and a signal processor. The radiation emitter is adapted to direct radiation to a positioning area a defined distance from the radiation emitter, the radiation carrying a modulated location signal containing information corresponding to positions within the positioning area. The radiation receiver is adapted to receive at least a portion of the emitted radiation carrying the modulated signal and output a signal to the signal processor indicative of the modulation of the location signal of the received radiation. Signal processor is adapted to process the outputted signal and identify a position within the positioning area indicative of the location in the positioning area of the received radiation.

Abstract: An aerial refueling system including a refueling drogue assembly including a refueling drogue and a refueling hose in captive relation with the refueling drogue and a drogue positioning system. The drogue positioning system including a radiation emitter, a radiation receiver and a signal processor. Then the radiation emitter is adapted to direct radiation to a positioning area a defined distance from the radiation emitter, the radiation carrying a modulated location signal containing information corresponding to positions within the positioning area. The radiation receiver is adapted to receive at least a portion of the emitted radiation carrying the modulated signal and output a signal to the signal processor indicative of the modulation of the location signal of the received radiation. And the signal processor is adapted to process the outputted signal and identify a position within the positioning area indicative of the location in the positioning area of the received radiation.