In an in-air demonstration in 2007, DARPA teamed up with NASA to show that high-performance aircraft can easily perform automated refueling from conventional tankers.
The 2007 demonstration was not entirely automated, however: a pilot was on board to set conditions and monitor safety during autonomous refueling operations. Building upon this foundation, DARPA, by way of its Autonomous High-Altitude Refueling program, demonstrated for the first time the ability to safely conduct fully autonomous aerial refueling of unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) in challenging high-altitude flight conditions.
During the program’s final test flight, two modified RQ-4 Global Hawk aircraft flew in close formation — 100 feet or less between refueling probe and receiver drogue — for the majority of a 2.5-hour engagement at 44,800 feet.
The successful test helped pave the way for future unmanned high-altitude long-endurance aircraft that can refuel in flight, expanding their mission capabilities and range.
Redefining Possible
Since 1958, DARPA has been an engine of innovation serving national defense and the U.S. warfighter.