A multi-zone battery station is provided, comprising a plurality of landing areas configured to support a UAV. The battery station may permit battery life to be reloaded onto a UAV, which may include recharging a battery of the UAV or exchanging the UAV battery for a new battery. The different zones may accommodate different UAV types, different battery types, or operate in accordance with different energy provision rules. A marker may be provided on a landing area to aid in guiding the UAV to an appropriate landing area.

A refuelling system is disclosed having a fuel conduit, a variable-position valve for controlling a rate of flow of fuel leaving the conduit, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive from a sensor arrangement a measurement of an electrostatic condition in a fuel tank being fuelled by the system. The controller is configured to control the variable-position valve to control the rate of flow of fuel based at least in part on the measurement received from the sensor arrangement.

Provided is a flying body comprising an antenna for forming a communication area by a beam irradiated toward the ground to provide wireless communication service for a user terminal in the communication area; and an attachment/detachment part configured to physically attach to and detach from another flying body for combining with and separating from another flying body. Provided is also a flying body comprising an antenna for forming a communication area by a beam irradiated toward the ground to provide wireless communication service for a user terminal in the communication area; a cable having an attachment/detachment part configured to physically attach to and detach from another flying body; a cable communication unit configured to communicate with another flying body via the cable; and an electric power transmission unit configured to transmit electric power with another flying body via the cable.

Provided is a flying body comprising an antenna for forming a communication area by a beam irradiated toward the ground to provide wireless communication service for a user terminal in the communication area; and an attachment/detachment part configured to physically attach to and detach from another flying body for combining with and separating from another flying body. Provided is also a flying body comprising an antenna for forming a communication area by a beam irradiated toward the ground to provide wireless communication service for a user terminal in the communication area; a cable having an attachment/detachment part configured to physically attach to and detach from another flying body; a cable communication unit configured to communicate with another flying body via the cable; and an electric power transmission unit configured to transmit electric power with another flying body via the cable.

The present invention relates primarily to the field of air-to-air refueling of aircraft using an engagement between a tanker (or donor) aircraft and a receiver aircraft so that fuel may be delivered to the receiver aircraft via a fueling conduit, such as a hose or boom. The invention may also find application in other air-to-air engagement activities, such as recharging of an electric powered aircraft by delivery of an electrical recharging current to batteries of the aircraft via an electrical cable. In accordance with one aspect of the invention there is provided a drogue assembly for towing behind a donor aircraft, which drogue assembly comprises a reception coupling for engaging with a probe provided on a receiver aircraft and a drogue chute for stabilising the reception coupling when towed, wherein the drogue assembly further comprises at least one LiDAR sensor, a controller for the LiDAR and a data processor in data communication with the LiDAR for processing the sensed LiDAR data. The drogue assembly preferably includes an electrical energy storage device for powering one or more of: the LiDAR sensor, the controller and/or the data processor.

The present invention relates to the field of aerial refuelling, usually by transfer of fuel from a tanker aircraft to a receiver aircraft. In particular the invention relates to a probe and drogue assembly arrangement in which the drogue assembly is steerable to facilitate engagement with the probe of the receiver aircraft. The invention provides a steerable drogue assembly for towing behind an aircraft, the drogue assembly comprising a reception coupling for receiving a probe of a receiver aircraft, one or more aerodynamic control features and one or more actuators provided in the drogue assembly and adapted to selectively activate said one or more control features, so that an activated control feature interacts with airflow passing the drogue so as to exert a control force on the drogue.

An aircraft is provided including an airframe, an extending tail, and a counter rotating, coaxial main rotor assembly including an upper rotor assembly and a lower rotor assembly. A translational thrust system positioned at the extending tail, the translational thrust system providing translational thrust to the airframe. A cockpit in the airframe, the cockpit including two seats and a single collective control input positioned between the two seats.

An aircraft is provided including an airframe, an extending tail, and a counter rotating, coaxial main rotor assembly including an upper rotor assembly and a lower rotor assembly. A translational thrust system positioned at the extending tail, the translational thrust system providing translational thrust to the airframe. A cockpit in the airframe, the cockpit including two seats and a single collective control input positioned between the two seats.

System for detecting the tip of the pole of the flying boom of a tanker and of the mouth of the receptacle of the receiver for semi-automatic or automatic contact for in-flight refueling with a boom, which ensures to provide the control system of the tanker's boom with robust, reliable and simultaneous information in real time with regards to the end of its pole and of the mouth of the receiver's receptacle, at all times. To this end, the system comprises: 1) light emitters mounted on the tip of its pole, 2) light emitters mounted on the contour of the receptacle of the receiving aircraft, 3) a processing subsystem and 4) two 3D cameras, a TOF camera, synchronised with a light emitter and an additional camera together with a structured light emitter generated with a DOE-type lens.

System for detecting the tip of the pole of the flying boom of a tanker and of the mouth of the receptacle of the receiver for semi-automatic or automatic contact for in-flight refueling with a boom, which ensures to provide the control system of the tanker's boom with robust, reliable and simultaneous information in real time with regards to the end of its pole and of the mouth of the receiver's receptacle, at all times. To this end, the system comprises: 1) light emitters mounted on the tip of its pole, 2) light emitters mounted on the contour of the receptacle of the receiving aircraft, 3) a processing subsystem and 4) two 3D cameras, a TOF camera, synchronised with a light emitter and an additional camera together with a structured light emitter generated with a DOE-type lens.