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.

A robotic system for fueling or charging a vehicle having a vehicle connector, the robotic system including a robotic arm having a plurality of sequentially arranged articulated links and at least one group of operating cables extending from a proximal end of the arm to terminate at a control link, for controlling the position of that link, the cables each having a path comprising a passage in each successive more proximal link for closely receiving the cable, a flexible conduit operably connected with the robotic arm for delivering a fluid or an electrical current, respectively, to a vehicle, the conduit being connected to a source at a first end and a delivery connector at a second end, and a control system for operating the robotic arm and the hose or cable, wherein the control system directs the robotic arm to engage the vehicle connector with the delivery connector and, upon engagement of the vehicle connector and delivery connector, the control system relaxes the robotic arm to an under-constrained condition.

A method for controlling maneuver of a refueling device, that includes: a refueling device is attached by a hose to a component of an aircraft. That component maintains a reference force on the hose. The desired position and current position of the refueling device are obtained. A determination is made, based on the current and desired positions of the refueling device, whether to extend or retract the hose. Depending on the determination, a command is sent for adjusting force generating arrangements that are attached to the refueling device. This causes the component to detect a changed force and to maintain the reference force on the hose. The distance between the fueling device and the aircraft is thereby changed.

An air to air refueling hose for an aircraft comprises an internal structure suitable for transporting fuel inside, an intermediate structure arranged around the internal structure, and an external structure arranged around the intermediate structure such that the intermediate structure is located between the internal structure and the external structure, and a sensing arrangement comprising electric conductors arranged along the air to air refueling hose and embedded inside of the external structure.

A work platform includes a frame and a deck. The frame has a plurality of frame members that are interconnected. The frame members define a trough that extends a length of the frame and is configured to accommodate a refueling boom of an aircraft such that the refueling boom extends through the frame within the trough. The deck is mounted to the frame to provide a stand. The deck includes a first deck panel and a second deck panel spaced apart from each other to define an opening to the trough.

An aerial resupply system (ARS) including a supply aircraft. The supply aircraft includes at least one of supply fuel, an ordinance, and data. The supply aircraft also includes a retractable boom system (RBS) configured for selective stowage within a fuselage of the supply aircraft and configured to supply at least one of supply fuel, the ordinance, and data to a location external to the fuselage.

An aerial resupply system (ARS) including a supply aircraft. The supply aircraft includes at least one of supply fuel, an ordinance, and data. The supply aircraft also includes a retractable boom system (RBS) configured for selective stowage within a fuselage of the supply aircraft and configured to supply at least one of supply fuel, the ordinance, and data to a location external to the fuselage.

The invention relates to an inflight refuelling system and a method and apparatus for observing and monitoring the condition of a hose used for refuelling. A number of sensors observe the hose as it is deployed or retracted into the system to allow assessment of the condition of the hose.

The invention relates to an inflight refuelling system and a method and apparatus for observing and monitoring the condition of a hose used for refuelling. A number of sensors observe the hose as it is deployed or retracted into the system to allow assessment of the condition of the hose.

Systems and methods are provided for fabricating a hybrid composite part. A method includes braiding a first set of fibers to form a weave having a closed cross-sectional shape, braiding a second set of fibers into the weave that are chemically distinct from the first set of fibers, impregnating the weave with a resin, and hardening the resin within the weave to form a hybrid composite part.