An aircraft refueling system (10) includes a master controller (12), a fleet controller (14) in communication with the master controller, a platform controller (18) in communication with the fleet controller, and a fuel control system (16) in communication with the platform controller. Embodiments of an aircraft refueling system may include a primary pressure controller (20), a secondary pressure controller (22), a programmable logic controller (24), and a data logger controller (26). The master controller may be configured to receive and analyze data from at least one of the fleet controller, the platform controller, and the fuel control system; and to modify operational parameters or upgrade the fuel control system based at least in part on the analysis of received data.

A hose is disclosed for conveying fluids. The hose has a wall defining a fluid carrying tube and a power and/or data transmission cable is integrated into said wall. Also disclosed is a user definable module that is removably attachable to the distal end of a fluid conveying hose. The hose being releasably connectable to a fluid receiving entity to provide fluid to said entity. The fluid conveying hose has a wall defining a fluid carrying tube and a power and/or data transmission cable integrated into that wall. The user definable module is connectable to the cable and has components to measure at least one measurable parameter at the end of the hose and/or provide electrical connection between the cable and said fluid receiving entity for the transmission of data and/or power along the hose via said user definable interface. Also disclosed is a method of configuring a hose for fluid transfer. The method includes the step of selecting a user definable module and attaching the selected module to a distal end of the hose prior to connecting said hose to a fluid receiving entity.

An aerial refueling system for refueling a receiver aircraft in flight comprises a hose reel assembly mounted onto a fuel supply aircraft's fuselage. The hose reel assembly has a rotatable drum defined by an outside diameter. A hose is wound around the drum and has an outlet end with a drogue affixed thereto. A telescoping stowage tube stores the outlet end of the hose and the drogue when the system is not in use and guides the outlet end and the drogue toward the receiver aircraft when the system is in use. The telescoping stowage tube has a forward end configured to be mounted on the hose reel assembly to receive the hose from the drum and an aft end adapted to be mounted to the door. As a result, the telescoping stowage tube may be extendable between a retracted stowed position and an extended position for refueling.

The present disclosure refers an aerial refueling coupling for in-flight parameter measuring, including a body configured to receive and support a probe and a removable shell that covers at least part of the body. The aerial refueling coupling includes a sensor system for detecting at least one parameter related to in-flight refueling operation, a data processing device configured to provide a measure at least relative to parameters detected by the sensor system, a portable storage system, and a power supply system comprising at least on battery for supplying energy, and a ram air turbine for their activation when the aerial refueling coupling is in-flight. The data processing device, the storage system and the power supply system are mounted onto the body covered by the shell.

The present disclosure refers an aerial refueling coupling for in-flight parameter measuring, including a body configured to receive and support a probe and a removable shell that covers at least part of the body. The aerial refueling coupling includes a sensor system for detecting at least one parameter related to in-flight refueling operation, a data processing device configured to provide a measure at least relative to parameters detected by the sensor system, a portable storage system, and a power supply system comprising at least on battery for supplying energy, and a ram air turbine for their activation when the aerial refueling coupling is in-flight. The data processing device, the storage system and the power supply system are mounted onto the body covered by the shell.

Aspects of the disclosure provide solutions for automated air-to-air refueling (A3R) and assisted air-to-air refueling. Examples include: receiving a video frame; identifying an aircraft to be refueled from within the video frame; segmenting the video frame to generate a segmentation mask matching the aircraft within the video frame; based on at least the segmentation mask, determining a position of a fuel receptacle on the aircraft; determining a position of a boom tip of the aerial refueling boom; and controlling the aerial refueling boom to engage the fuel receptacle based on at least the position of the fuel receptacle and the position of the boom tip.

Aspects of the disclosure provide solutions for automated air-to-air refueling (A3R) and assisted air-to-air refueling. Examples include: receiving a video frame; identifying an aircraft to be refueled from within the video frame; segmenting the video frame to generate a segmentation mask matching the aircraft within the video frame; based on at least the segmentation mask, determining a position of a fuel receptacle on the aircraft; determining a position of a boom tip of the aerial refueling boom; and controlling the aerial refueling boom to engage the fuel receptacle based on at least the position of the fuel receptacle and the position of the boom tip.

Electric aircraft, including in-flight rechargeable electric aircraft, and methods of operating electric aircraft, including methods for recharging electric aircraft in-flight, through the use of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) packs flying independent of and in proximity to the electric aircraft.

Electric aircraft, including in-flight rechargeable electric aircraft, and methods of operating electric aircraft, including methods for recharging electric aircraft in-flight, through the use of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) packs flying independent of and in proximity to the electric aircraft.

A system and a method include an imaging device configured to capture one or more images of a first vehicle. A control unit is in communication with the imaging device. A model database is in communication with the control unit. The model database stores a three-dimensional (3D) model of the first vehicle. The control unit is configured to receive image data regarding the one or more images of the first vehicle from the imaging device and analyze the image data with respect to the 3D model of the first vehicle to determine a pose of the first vehicle.