Video of the X-47B drone first autonomous aerial refueling

David Cenciotti
2 Min Read
FLIGHT 285

Someone said we are one step closer to Skynet..

On Apr. 16, one of the two Unmanned Carrier Air Vehicle demonstrator (UCAS-D) aircraft of the X-47B program performed the first autonomous drone air-to-air refueling (AAR) test taking fuel from an Omega Air KC-707 tanker.

Here is the video of the UCAS-D pluggin the retractable IFR (In-Flight Refueling) probe in the tanker hose basket.

The two X-47B technology demonstrators will be retired and probably donated to a museum or stored at the “boneyard”, the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) at Davis Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, after these aerial refueling tests: Navy stealth killer drones are “just” a technology demonstrator, a testbed for the future planned Navy’s Unmanned Carrier Launched Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS).

More from The Aviationist

The Incredible Armada of Aircraft Behind 1969’s Battle of Britain Film

On Sept. 15, 1969, cinema audiences were treated to a dramatic portrayal…

Kai Greet Kai Greet

US Approves Possible Sale of Nine KC-46A Pegasus Tankers for Japan

The latest deal would take the number of KC-46As in Japan’s inventory…

Parth Satam Parth Satam

U.S. State Department Approves $7.2B Sale Of F-35 Jets To Romania

The Foreign Military Sale’s approval comes after Romania announced the plan to…

Stefano D'Urso Stefano D'Urso

DARPA Awards BAE Systems $4 Million for Autonomous Beyond Visual Range Air Combat Program

Autonomy solutions for BVR combat will initially be developed and demonstrated on…

Parth Satam Parth Satam

 

Share This Article
2 Comments