A method of operating a fuel tanker aircraft for in-flight fuelling comprises: transmitting a deploy command signal from a communication unit of the tanker aircraft to a communication unit of a fuel receiver aircraft, to cause a line and drogue to deploy from the receiver aircraft; controlling at least one of the tanker aircraft and the drogue to engage the drogue with a first end of a fuel hose of the tanker aircraft, a second end of the fuel hose being connected to the tanker aircraft; and transmitting a return command signal from the communication unit of the tanker aircraft to the communication unit of the receiver aircraft, to cause the line and drogue to return to the receiver aircraft with the first end of the fuel hose, wherein the tanker aircraft is located behind the receiver aircraft and the deploy command signal is for causing the line and drogue to deploy rearwardly of the receiver aircraft.

Methods and apparatus to align and couple aircraft are disclosed. An example apparatus for securing a first aircraft to a second aircraft includes a guide to direct movement of a first wing of the first aircraft relative to a second wing of the second aircraft to align the first wing with the second wing, and a lock configured to couple the first wing to the second wing after the guide aligns the first wing to the second wing.

An automatic aircraft positioning system includes a first aircraft including one more fiducials, and a second aircraft including a positioning radar, control devices that are configured to control operation of the second aircraft, and a control unit in communication with the positioning radar and the control devices. The positioning radar is configured to transmit a radar transmit signal. The one or more fiducials are configured to receive the radar transmit signal and output one or more return signals in response to the radar transmit signal. The positioning radar is configured to receive the one or more return signals and determine a position and orientation of the second aircraft relative to the first aircraft, or vice versa, from the one or more return signals. The control unit is configured to automatically control the second aircraft in relation to the first aircraft during an automatic positioning mode.

An automatic aircraft positioning system includes a first aircraft including one more fiducials, and a second aircraft including a positioning radar, control devices that are configured to control operation of the second aircraft, and a control unit in communication with the positioning radar and the control devices. The positioning radar is configured to transmit a radar transmit signal. The one or more fiducials are configured to receive the radar transmit signal and output one or more return signals in response to the radar transmit signal. The positioning radar is configured to receive the one or more return signals and determine a position and orientation of the second aircraft relative to the first aircraft, or vice versa, from the one or more return signals. The control unit is configured to automatically control the second aircraft in relation to the first aircraft during an automatic positioning mode.

Systems and methods for transferring electric power to an aircraft during flight. Power transfer to the receiver aircraft is effected by means of a donor aircraft using a wired electrical connection. The method for transferring electric power includes: establishing an electrical connection between a receiver aircraft and a donor aircraft during flight; and transferring electric power from the donor aircraft to the receiver aircraft via the electrical connection. In one embodiment, electric power is transferred by way of a power cable deployed by the donor aircraft, a drogue attached to a trailing end of the power cable, and a probe mounted to the fuselage of the receiver aircraft, The probe and drogue are configured to form an electrical connection when fully engaged.

A metal air battery electrolyte replenishment system comprised of a base station with docking receptor apparatus and matching docking probe on a flying drone. The probe onboard the drone has a sensor that guides the drone to connect with the electrolyte docking receptor on the base station. The drone uses the probe to obtain fresh electrolyte and simultaneously expel spent electrolyte into the base station while still in flight or during a brief landing. Rapid exchange of the electrolyte allows for extended range and flight time without penalty of onboard electrolyte reconditioning system and its associated weight.

An aircraft is provided and includes an airframe, an extending tail, 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, at least one sensor and at least one inertial measurement unit (IMU) to sense current flight conditions of the aircraft, an interface to execute controls of a main rotor assembly in accordance with control commands and at least one flight control computer (FCC) to issue the control commands. The at least one FCC includes a central processing unit (CPU) and a memory having logic and executable instructions stored thereon, which, when executed, cause the CPU to issue the control commands based on the current flight conditions and a result of an execution of the logic for the current flight conditions.

An aircraft is provided and includes an airframe, an extending tail, 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, at least one sensor and at least one inertial measurement unit (IMU) to sense current flight conditions of the aircraft, an interface to execute controls of a main rotor assembly in accordance with control commands and at least one flight control computer (FCC) to issue the control commands. The at least one FCC includes a central processing unit (CPU) and a memory having logic and executable instructions stored thereon, which, when executed, cause the CPU to issue the control commands based on the current flight conditions and a result of an execution of the logic for the current flight conditions.

A system and method for the transfer of cryogenic fluid fuel includes a nozzle positionable with respect to fuel tank inlet, e.g., of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a seal to seal the area where the nozzle and inlet are connected, a collapsible and expandable bellows providing an isolation volume where the fluid is transferred from the nozzle into the inlet; a vacuum is provided in the volume to avoid accumulation of fuel or other species in the volume.

A referencing system to assist a receiver aircraft in relative positioning during in-flight refueling operation that includes an array of references congregated on a spot of the tanker aircraft, wherein the array of references provide a distinguishable visual indicator depending on the sector where the receiver aircraft positions.