Using Variable-Stability Aircraft to Demonstrate Automated Aerial Refueling

Brian A. Kish, United States Air Force Test Pilot School, Edwards AFB, California, United States
John L. Minor, United States Air Force Test Pilot School, Edwards AFB, California, United States
Steven M. Ross, 40th Flight Test Squadron, Eglin AFB, Florida, United States
Elwood T. Waddell, 419th Flight Test Squadron, Edwards AFB, California, United States

Abstract

An aircraft formation autopilot was designed for flight test to demonstrate automated aerial refueling. Results are presented from a limited flight test investigation conducted by students of the United States Air Force Test Pilot School using a C-12 to represent a tanker and a variable stability Learjet LJ-25 to represent an unmanned aerial vehicle. Fully automated aerial refueling maneuvers were successfully demonstrated in both level and turning flight. The variable stability aircraft, with its safety pilot and programmable flight control system, was ideally suited for this type of demonstration where two aircraft have only five feet separation from nose to tail. Conclusions and lessons learned from the flight test and the controller development are presented.