A bionic visual navigation control system for autonomous aerial refueling docking includes: a tanker/receiver bottom layer control module, a multi-wind disturbances hose-drogue stable control module, an enable and select module, a close-range bionic vision relative navigation module, and a receiver relative position precise control module. A bionic visual navigation control method for autonomous aerial refueling docking is also provided. The present invention aims at improving the reliability, anti-interference and accuracy of the close-range relative navigation in the autonomous air refueling docking stage, and designs a matching relative position accurate control method with control switch, thereby improving the accuracy of close-range navigation and control, thereby promoting the successful realization of probe-and-drogue autonomous aerial refueling and improving the autonomy of UAVs.

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.

A weather modification system that includes both systems and vehicles capable of modifying the weather. The systems may include devices capable of utilizing compositions to create dispersants that can modify weather. The system is capable of autonomous weather modification where the vehicles may operate for long periods of time in the air and may be directed by a control station. The vehicles may include an airplane, a UAV, a balloon, a satellite, an airship, such as a lenticular airship, a helicopter or a lighter than air vehicle. The vehicles are capable of multiple functions including weather modification, weather monitoring, and coordination between different vehicles.

A weather modification system that includes both systems and vehicles capable of modifying the weather. The systems may include devices capable of utilizing compositions to create dispersants that can modify weather. The system is capable of autonomous weather modification where the vehicles may operate for long periods of time in the air and may be directed by a control station. The vehicles may include an airplane, a UAV, a balloon, a satellite, an airship, such as a lenticular airship, a helicopter or a lighter than air vehicle. The vehicles are capable of multiple functions including weather modification, weather monitoring, and coordination between different vehicles.

An example system includes a processor and a non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored therein instructions that are executable to cause the system to perform various functions. The functions include: (i) acquiring an image of a first aerial vehicle, the image depicting an object of a second aerial vehicle prior to contact between the object and a surface of the first aerial vehicle; (ii) providing the image as input to a data-driven analyzer that is trained in a supervised setting with example images for determining a predetermined point of contact between the object and the surface of the first aerial vehicle; (iii) determining, based on an output of the data-driven analyzer corresponding to the input, an estimated point of contact between the object and the surface of the first aerial vehicle; and (iv) providing the estimated point of contact to a display system.

An example system includes a processor and a non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored therein instructions that are executable to cause the system to perform various functions. The functions include: (i) acquiring an image of a first aerial vehicle, the image depicting an object of a second aerial vehicle prior to contact between the object and a surface of the first aerial vehicle; (ii) providing the image as input to a data-driven analyzer that is trained in a supervised setting with example images for determining a predetermined point of contact between the object and the surface of the first aerial vehicle; (iii) determining, based on an output of the data-driven analyzer corresponding to the input, an estimated point of contact between the object and the surface of the first aerial vehicle; and (iv) providing the estimated point of contact to a display system.

A system for transferring a fluid from a first spacecraft to a second spacecraft. The first spacecraft includes a fluid transfer system comprising: a pressurant supply system, a first fluid tank to store a fluid to be transferred, one or more transfer feedlines to provide fluidic connection between the first fluid tank and the second spacecraft, a connector for connecting the first spacecraft to the second spacecraft, an accumulator tank comprising a first portion connected to the pressurant supply system, a second portion configured in fluidic communication with the one or more transfer feedlines, and a flexible separator to separate the first portion and the second portion. The pressurant supply system supplies pressurant gas to the first fluid tank for pressurising the first fluid tank and to supply pressurant gas to the first portion of the accumulator tank for pressurising the first portion of the accumulator tank.

An air-to-air coupling 13 (e.g. for receiving a probe in probe-and-drogue refuelling) comprises retaining members 19, 27 for interacting with a further member (e.g. a refuelling probe) to hold the further member in place. An active drive system 39, 21 may drive the holding members and may thereby also actively drive the further member into place. Alternatively the active drive 39, 21 may drive another member such as a locking member 31 to hold the retaining members 19, 27 in position once the further member is in place. The active drive releases the retaining members 19, 27 or moves them out of position to allow the further member to be removed. This allows the further member to be inserted and removed with a lower force than is used to hold it in place. The coupling may also be used for in-air recovery of an unmanned aircraft.

An air-to-air coupling 13 (e.g. for receiving a probe in probe-and-drogue refuelling) comprises retaining members 19, 27 for interacting with a further member (e.g. a refuelling probe) to hold the further member in place. An active drive system 39, 21 may drive the holding members and may thereby also actively drive the further member into place. Alternatively the active drive 39, 21 may drive another member such as a locking member 31 to hold the retaining members 19, 27 in position once the further member is in place. The active drive releases the retaining members 19, 27 or moves them out of position to allow the further member to be removed. This allows the further member to be inserted and removed with a lower force than is used to hold it in place. The coupling may also be used for in-air recovery of an unmanned aircraft.