Smiths Aerospace Provides Autonomous Refuelling Technology

UAV NEWS

Future UAVs could refuel in flight far from their operating bases

London - Dec 11, 2003
Smiths Aerospace is advancing the technology on the 767 Tanker Transport by developing autonomous aerial refuelling capabilities for hose and drogue refuelling systems for emerging usage on UAVs (unmanned air vehicles) and UCAVs (unmanned combat air vehicles). Smiths is in the process of securing patents for this new technology that takes a fresh new approach to the probe and drogue refuelling technique and will have applicability to both retrofit and forward fit tankers.

Dr. John Ferrie, Group Managing Director of Smiths Aerospace commented, "We are committed to providing the most capable refuelling systems now and in the future. We are investing in the advanced technology to permit autonomous refuelling of UAVs and UCAVs."

Smiths and Boeing are collaborating to provide essential technologies for the capability requirements identified by the USAF for refuelling UAVs and UCAVs. Boeing will concentrate its efforts on boom and receptacle technologies and Smiths will concentrate on the probe and drogue system, with common technologies shared. These advanced technologies increase the control and performance of refuelling systems beyond those currently fielded.

The technology extends guidance capability to the drogue permitting it to be maneuvered to enable autonomous refuelling of a UAV using the probe and drogue method. UAVs and UCAVs are introducing capabilities to the battlefield that will revolutionise warfare for the future, and they will require in-flight refuelling to maximise their potential.

TECH SPACE

Airborne Laser Optical Link Demonstrator

Bonn - Dec 09, 2003
EADS Astrium has been awarded a contract by the French MoD Procurement Agency � Telecommunication and Observation Programs Dept for the demonstration of an optical link between an airborne carrier representative of the future medium- and high-altitude UAVs (MALE and HALE) and the Artemis geo-stationary satellite from ESA by 2006. EADS Astrium is prime on this programme valued at around 50 M euro on which Alcatel Space and ONERA participate as sub-contractors.

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement All images and articles appearing on Space Media Network have been edited or digitally altered in some way. Any requests to remove copyright material will be acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. Any attempt to extort money from Space Media Network will be ignored and reported to Australian Law Enforcement Agencies as a potential case of financial fraud involving the use of a telephonic carriage device or postal service.