Aerospace Testing InternationalAerospace Testing International
  • News
    • A-E
      • Acoustic & Vibration
      • Avionics
      • Data Acquisition
      • Defense
      • Drones & Air Taxis
      • Electric & Hybrid
      • EMC
      • Engine Testing
      • Environmental Testing
    • F-L
      • Fatigue Testing
      • Flight Testing
      • Helicopters & Rotorcraft
      • High Speed Imaging
      • Industry News
    • M-S
      • Materials Testing
      • NDT
      • Simulation & Training
      • Software
      • Space
      • Structural Testing
      • Supplier News
    • T-Z
      • Technology
      • Telemetry & Communications
      • Weapons Testing
      • Wind Tunnels
  • Features
  • Magazines
    • September 2023
    • June 2023
    • March 2023
    • December 2022
    • SHOWCASE 2023
    • Archive Issues
    • Subscribe Free!
  • Opinion
  • Webinars
  • Events
    • All Events
    • Aerospace Test & Development Show
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Suppliers
    • Supplier Spotlights
    • Technical Papers
  • Jobs
    • Browse Jobs
    • Post a Job – It’s FREE!
    • Manage Jobs (Employers)
LinkedIn YouTube X (Twitter)
LinkedIn YouTube X (Twitter)
Subscribe to magazine Subscribe to email newsletter Media Pack
Aerospace Testing InternationalAerospace Testing International
  • News
      • Acoustic & Vibration
      • Avionics
      • Data Acquisition
      • Defense
      • Drones & Air Taxis
      • Electric & Hybrid
      • EMC
      • Engine Testing
      • Environmental Testing
      • Fatigue Testing
      • Flight Testing
      • Helicopters & Rotorcraft
      • High Speed Imaging
      • Industry News
      • Materials Testing
      • NDT
      • Simulation & Training
      • Software
      • Space
      • Structural Testing
      • Supplier News
      • Technology
      • Telemetry & Communications
      • Weapons Testing
      • Wind Tunnels
  • Features
  • Magazines
    1. Showcase 2024
    2. September 2023
    3. June 2023
    4. March 2023
    5. December 2022
    6. SHOWCASE 2023
    7. Archive Issues
    8. Subscribe Free!
    Featured
    3rd November 2023

    In this Issue – Showcase 2024

    Online Magazines By Ben Sampson
    Recent

    In this Issue – Showcase 2024

    3rd November 2023

    In this Issue – September 2023

    30th August 2023

    In this Issue – June 2023

    7th June 2023
  • Opinion
  • Webinars
  • Events
    • All Events
    • Aerospace Test & Development Show
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Suppliers
    • Supplier Spotlights
    • Technical Papers
  • Jobs
    • Browse Jobs
    • Post a Job – It’s FREE!
    • Manage Jobs (Employers)
LinkedIn YouTube X (Twitter)
Aerospace Testing InternationalAerospace Testing International
Defense

Airbus successfully tests Automatic Air-to-Air refuelling

Ben SampsonBy Ben Sampson25th July 20183 Mins Read
Share LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email
Air to air refuelling
Emulation of what the image processing system during the the first automatic contact between the A310 demonstrator and the KC-30A (Image: Airbus)

Airbus Defence and Space has successfully demonstrated Automatic Air-to-Air Refuelling using its A310 tanker / transport defense aircraft for the first time with a large aircraft.

Airbus first demonstrated Automatic Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR) with a F-16 fighter jet from the Portuguese Air Force in May 2017. Now the company has performed the same operation with a large receiver aircraft, a KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport, also made by Airbus.

The refueling operations were conducted during a two-hour test flight in June 2018 off the southern coast of Spain with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), as part of a joint project to develop the technology. The A310 development tanker performed seven automatic contacts with a RAAF.

According to Airbus, the system requires no additional equipment on the receiver and reduces refueling boom operator workload, improve safety, and optimize the rate of AAR in operational conditions.

During initial approach of the receiver, boom control is performed by the tanker’s Air Refueling Operator (ARO) as usual. Image processing is used to determine the receiver’s refueling receptacle position and when the system is activated, a fully automated flight control system flies and maintains the boom aligned with the receiver’s receptacle.

The telescopic beam inside the boom can be controlled manually by the ARO, in a relative distance-keeping mode or in a fully automatic mode.

The A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft for the defence sector is able to carry up to 111 tonnes (245,000 lb) of fuel.

David Piatti, who acted as Airbus Test ARO, or “boomer”, on the A310, said, “It was extremely impressive to see how accurately the A3R system tracks the receiver. It can be very useful to be able to refuel another tanker or transport, for example to extend its deployment range or to avoid taking fuel back to base, but it is also a challenging operation and this system has the potential to reduce workload and the risk involved.”

The trial was conducted in conjunction with Test Pilots and Flight Test Engineers from the RAAF’s Aircraft Research and Development Unit (ARDU).

Squadron Leader Lawry Benier, executive officer for ARDU, said the work would increase the utility of the KC-30A within a battlespace. He said, “It’s very encouraging to come to Spain and see the progress that’s been made with AAR, and be able to witness firsthand the refueling of our KC-30A,” Squadron Leader Benier said.

“Refueling large receivers is a role RAAF has conducted extensively on operations and exercises, allowing us to extend the reach and responsiveness of our air mobility fleet, as well as keep surveillance aircraft in the air for longer.”

 

Share. Twitter LinkedIn Facebook Email
Previous ArticleG500 jet receives double certification
Next Article Arresting hook for MQ-25 drone completes testing
Ben Sampson

Ben has worked as a journalist and editor, covering technology, engineering and industry for the last 20 years. Initially writing about subjects from nuclear submarines to autonomous cars to future design and manufacturing technologies, he was editor of a leading UK-based engineering magazine before becoming editor of Aerospace Testing in 2017.

Related Posts

Defense

Boeing finishes Grey Wolf helicopter testing

23rd November 20232 Mins Read
Defense

France tests upgraded ICBM

23rd November 20232 Mins Read
Defense

US Air Force upgrades telemetry at Eglin Gulf Test Range

22nd November 20232 Mins Read
Latest Posts

Developing a cloud above the clouds

6th December 2023

Wisk completes unmanned BVLOS test flights in New Zealand

5th December 2023

Dassault’s Falcon 6X biz jet enters service

5th December 2023
Supplier Spotlight
  • Elsys AG
Our Social Channels
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
Getting in Touch
  • Free Email Newsletters
  • Contact Us
  • Meet the Team
  • Media Pack
Related Topics
  • Aircraft Interiors
  • Business Jet Interiors
FREE WEEKLY NEWS EMAIL!

Get the 'best of the week' from this website direct to your inbox every Wednesday

© 2023 Mark Allen Group Ltd | All Rights Reserved
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.