X-47B Drone Refuels Autonomously

So easy, even a robot can do it:

The US Navy reported that its X-47B — a demonstrator for unmanned combat air vehicle technology — successfully completed autonomous refueling.

Aerial Refueling (Air-to-Air Refueling) (AAR) is a notoriously challenging task even for skilled pilots. Based on this technology, it will be interesting to see if the military chooses to automate the task for manned aircraft in the future.  Of course, the Secretary of the Navy said the F-35C would likely be its last manned fighter aircraft…ever, so that question may be moot.

Notably, the AAR occurred not with a USAF refueling tanker, but with a civilian Omega 707:

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One comment

  • Drones suck. I have no faith in unmanned aerial vehicles. Fortunately, the F/A-XX is currently being made.