ST. LOUIS, Nov. 30 (UPI) -- Boeing has successfully tested in St. Louis an aerial refueling capability for unmanned aerial vehicles.
Britain's UVOnline reported on Nov. 27 that the Boeing Automated Aerial Refueling program successfully completed an initial flight test in August. The AAR test demonstrated for the first time an UAV's ability to maintain a steady refueling station behind a tanker aircraft.
Boeing Phantom Works AAR program manager David Riley said, "With autonomous air refueling capabilities, unmanned aircraft will have greater combat radius and loiter time. This can enable a quicker response for time-critical targets and will reduce the need for forward-staging refueling areas. Another benefit is increased in-theater military presence with fewer military assets."
The AAR flight tests used a New York Air National Guard 107th Air Refueling Wing KC-135R refueling tanker and a Calspan Corp. Learjet equipped with a specialized Boeing flight control system allowing it to operate as an UAV.
A total of six AAR flights were conducted with the Boeing flight control system, all of which were successful.
