Abstract: A method, apparatus and system are provided for facilitating aerial refueling by controlling a refueling drogue. In this regard, a respective error for at least one state associated with a hose or a drogue is provided, along with an indication of a current state of the drogue. An actuator command is then determined based upon the current state of the drogue, the respective error for at least one state associated with the hose or the drogue, and a current command that has been previously issued to the actuator. A command, that is, an updated command, may then be issued to the actuator carried by the drogue in order to reduce or eliminate the state error(s).

Abstract: A system for automated control of a refueling boom coupled to a tanker aircraft is provided. The system includes: a first inertial measurement unit (IMU) providing inertial measurements for the tanker aircraft; a first GPS receiver providing a GPS location for a GPS antenna attached to the tanker aircraft; and a processor adapted to calculate a first inertial navigation state for the tanker aircraft through integration of the inertial measurements, the processor being further adapted to calculate a first inertial navigation state error relative to the GPS location and to filter the first inertial navigation state error and the first inertial navigation state based upon noise characteristics of the first IMU and the first GPS receiver to provide an updated inertial navigation state for the tanker aircraft, the processor being further adapted to control the refueling boom relative to a receiver aircraft based upon the first and updated inertial navigation states.

Abstract: A method for performing missions with a refueling aircraft. A number of control stations are configured to selectively control a plurality of systems in the refueling aircraft to form a number of configured control stations. The plurality of systems includes a refueling system and a number of other systems. Each of the plurality of systems is capable of performing a different mission. A number of missions are performed during flight using the number of configured control stations.

Abstract: A refueling system on an aircraft comprises a fuel hose coupled to the aircraft, a drogue coupled to the fuel hose, an air data computer, and a drogue canopy controller coupled to the drogue canopy. The drogue further comprises a coupling, a plurality of vanes, and a drogue canopy. The drogue canopy controller determines a selected surface area of the drogue canopy based on air speed. The drogue canopy controller is configured to modify a surface area of the drogue canopy to conform to the appropriate surface area.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, an aerial refueling drogue has a coupling having a channel formed there through. One end of the coupling is attached to a hose. A power generator unit is positioned in the channel of the coupling.

Abstract: A system for automated control of a refueling boom coupled to a tanker aircraft is provided. The system includes: a first inertial measurement unit (IMU) providing inertial measurements for the tanker aircraft; a first GPS receiver providing a GPS location for a GPS antenna attached to the tanker aircraft; and a processor adapted to calculate a first inertial navigation state for the tanker aircraft through integration of the inertial measurements, the processor being further adapted to calculate a first inertial navigation state error relative to the GPS location and to filter the first inertial navigation state error and the first inertial navigation state based upon noise characteristics of the first IMU and the first GPS receiver to provide an updated inertial navigation state for the tanker aircraft, the processor being further adapted to control the refueling boom relative to a receiver aircraft based upon the first and updated inertial navigation states.

Abstract: Controllable refueling drogues and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A system in accordance with one embodiment includes a fuel delivery device having a deployable portion configured to be deployed overboard an aircraft during aerial refueling. The deployable portion can include at least a portion of a flexible fuel line, a drogue coupled to the flexible fuel line, and an actuatable device operatively coupled to at least one of the drogue and the fuel line. The deployable portion can further include a guidance system that is operatively coupled to the actuatable device and that includes instructions to direct the operation of the actuatable device and move the drogue during flight.

Abstract: A method for performing missions with a refueling aircraft. A number of control stations are configured to selectively control a plurality of systems in the refueling aircraft to form a number of configured control stations. The plurality of systems includes a refueling system and a number of other systems. Each of the plurality of systems is capable of performing a different mission. A number of missions are performed during flight using the number of configured control stations.

Abstract: A system for automated control of a refueling boom coupled to a tanker aircraft is provided. The system includes sensors such as electro-optical sensor or GPS sensors that provide measurements used by the system to automatically control the refueling boom so as to mate with a receiver aircraft. The system is configured to monitor the health of the sensors and to reconfigure itself if any of the sensor are faulty.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, an aerial refueling drogue has a coupling having a channel formed there through. One end of the coupling is attached to a hose. A power generator unit is positioned in the channel of the coupling.

Abstract: A system for automated control of a refueling boom coupled to a tanker aircraft is provided. The system includes: a first inertial measurement unit (IMU) providing inertial measurements for the tanker aircraft; a first GPS receiver providing a GPS location for a GPS antenna attached to the tanker aircraft; and a processor adapted to calculate a first inertial navigation state for the tanker aircraft through integration of the inertial measurements, the processor being further adapted to calculate a first inertial navigation state error relative to the GPS location and to filter the first inertial navigation state error and the first inertial navigation state based upon noise characteristics of the first IMU and the first GPS receiver to provide an updated inertial navigation state for the tanker aircraft, the processor being further adapted to control the refueling boom relative to a receiver aircraft based upon the first and updated inertial navigation states.

Abstract: A system for automated control of a refueling boom coupled to a tanker aircraft is provided. The system includes sensors such as electro-optical sensor or GPS sensors that provide measurements used by the system to automatically control the refueling boom so as to mate with a receiver aircraft. The system is configured to monitor the health of the sensors and to reconfigure itself if any of the sensor are faulty.

Abstract: A system for automated control of a refueling boom coupled to a tanker aircraft is provided. The system includes: a first inertial measurement unit (IMU) providing inertial measurements for the tanker aircraft; a first GPS receiver providing a GPS location for a GPS antenna attached to the tanker aircraft; and a processor adapted to calculate a first inertial navigation state for the tanker aircraft through integration of the inertial measurements, the processor being further adapted to calculate a first inertial navigation state error relative to the GPS location and to filter the first inertial navigation state error and the first inertial navigation state based upon noise characteristics of the first IMU and the first GPS receiver to provide an updated inertial navigation state for the tanker aircraft, the processor being further adapted to control the refueling boom relative to a receiver aircraft based upon the first and updated inertial navigation states.

Abstract: Controllable refueling drogues and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A system in accordance with one embodiment includes a fuel delivery device having a deployable portion configured to be deployed overboard an aircraft during aerial refueling. The deployable portion can include at least a portion of a flexible fuel line, a drogue coupled to the flexible fuel line, and an actuatable device operatively coupled to at least one of the drogue and the fuel line. The deployable portion can further include a guidance system that is operatively coupled to the actuatable device and that includes instructions to direct the operation of the actuatable device and move the drogue during flight.

Abstract: An in-flight refueling system and method are provided to extend and retract an in-flight refueling device between a stowed position and an extended position relative to a tanker aircraft. The system and method of the present invention provide an induction device configured to extend and retract the in-flight refueling device such that the in-flight refueling system requires less maintenance and may be packaged in a compact, low-profile arrangement so that the in-flight refueling system may be carried by a variety of tanker aircraft in a variety of different configurations.

Abstract: An in-flight refueling system, damping device and method are provided for enhancing the stability of an elongate hose extending from a tanker aircraft during an in-flight refueling operation. The various embodiments of the system, device, and method provide a passive, integrated damping device that may generate electrical energy from changes in disposition of the elongate hose and then using the electrical energy generated to impart mechanical damping forces to a portion of the elongate hose. Thus, the embodiments may minimize the occurrence of oscillations in the elongate hose as it extends from the tanker aircraft during an in-flight refueling operation.