Air Refuelling Drone Attack

Aviation Systems Command U.S. Navy (NAVAIR) and the "Northrop Grumman" completed a series of flight tests in order to reduce risk when implementing programs for autonomous air refueling (AAR) deck UAV X-47B UCAS-D.

Initial flight tests conducted using an airplane-lab "Learjet", was completed in St. Augustine (sht.Florida) on January 21. The purpose of the program is to demonstrate the primary features that allow X-47B close and maneuver close to the refueling aircraft, and refueling system to use with a hose and docking device (IUD) and bar (air force).

"Northrop Grumman" has launched a risk reduction phase in November 2011, setting hardware and software for X-47B aircraft-laboratory "Learjet-20." Upon successful completion of ground testing the aircraft made its first flight December 20, 2011.


In future aircraft-laboratory "Learjet-20" was tested with air tankers K-707 "Omega", repeatedly running the in-flight refueling autonomously and under operator control from the ground.

The purpose of the program design X-47B, which will not be accepted for service, is to demonstrate the possibility of using on-board aircraft carrier-based U.S. Navy's stealth jet UAVs to perform tasks information gathering, surveillance, reconnaissance and attack of operations. In addition, the devices will be able to perform aerial refueling.


NAVAIR and "Northrop Grumman" intend to hold two series of tests with flying laboratory demonstration of the possibility to refuel in the air, X-47B, which is scheduled for 2014. According to the plan of developers, this option will significantly increase the range, flight duration and flexibility of advanced unmanned systems.