FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to automatic aircraft positioning systems and methods, such as may be used during an in-flight refueling process.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

During a flight, an aircraft may need to be refueled. Certain aircraft are configured as fuel tankers that are configured to refuel another aircraft during a flight. For example, a fuel tanker may include a boom or drogue that is extended behind the fuel tanker during a flight. The boom is coupled to a fuel line. A trailing aircraft is maneuvered to the end of the boom, which is then attached to a fuel inlet of a probe of the trailing aircraft. After the boom of the fuel tanker is connected to the fuel inlet of the trailing aircraft, an in-flight refueling of the trailing aircraft occurs.

Typically, a pilot of the trailing aircraft maneuvers the trailing aircraft in relation to the fuel tanker. The pilot manually operates the control devices of the trailing aircraft to guide the probe to the boom (engagement), and ensure a connection therebetween. Once the fuel inlet is connected to the boom, the pilot continues to manually operate the control devices of the trailing aircraft to ensure that the fuel inlet remains coupled to the boom as the trailing aircraft is refueled. Typically, as the trailing aircraft is being refueled, the pilot ensures that the trailing aircraft maintains position in relation to the fuel tanker, which is known as station-keeping. After the refueling process, the connection between the probe of the trailing aircraft is disconnected from the boom of the fuel tanker (disengagement), and the refueled aircraft continues flight, such as according to a particular mission.

As can be appreciated, the process of maneuvering a trailing aircraft in relation to the fuel tanker, and manually controlling the trailing aircraft (as well as the boom of the fuel tanker) during the refueling process requires a high level of skill and experience. In certain situations, such as during periods of turbulence, a pilot may have difficulty maneuvering the trailing aircraft in relation to the fuel tanker before and after the connection between the boom and the fuel inlet is attained (engagement and disengagement).

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

A need exists for a system and a method for automatically controlling positioning (including position/location and/or orientation) of an aircraft during an in-flight refueling process. Further, a need exists for a system and a method for automatically maintaining a relative position between two different aircraft. Moreover, a need exists for a low cost, effective, and efficient automatic aircraft positioning system and method.

With those needs in mind, certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide an automatic aircraft positioning system that includes one or more fiducials coupled to a first aircraft. A positioning radar, control devices, and a control unit are coupled to a second aircraft. The control devices are configured to control operation of the second aircraft. The control unit is in communication with the positioning radar and the control devices. The positioning radar is configured to transmit a radar transmit signal. The one or more fiducials are configured to receive the radar transmit signal and output one or more return signals in response to the radar transmit signal. The positioning radar is configured to receive the one or more return signals and determine a position of the second aircraft relative to the first aircraft from the one or more return signals. The control unit is configured to automatically control the second aircraft in relation to the first aircraft during an automatic positioning mode based, at least in part, on the position of the second aircraft relative to the first aircraft.

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide an automatic aircraft positioning system including a first aircraft comprising one more fiducials, and a second aircraft including a positioning radar, control devices that are configured to control operation of the second aircraft, and a control unit in communication with the positioning radar and the control devices. The positioning radar is configured to transmit a radar transmit signal. The fiducial(s) are configured to receive the radar transmit signal and output one or more return signals in response to the radar transmit signal. The positioning radar is configured to receive the return signal(s) and determine a position of the second aircraft relative to the first aircraft from the return signal(s). The control unit is configured to automatically control the second aircraft in relation to the first aircraft during an automatic positioning mode.

In at least one embodiment, the positioning radar is further configured to output a position signal (which may include navigation information) indicative of the position and velocity (for example, the relative position) of the second aircraft relative to the first aircraft. The control unit is configured to receive the position signal and automatically control at least one of the control devices of the second aircraft based on the position signal.

In at least one embodiment, the control unit is configured to automatically control the second aircraft during an in-flight refueling process. For example, the first aircraft is a fuel tanker, and the second aircraft is configured to be refueled by the fuel tanker during flight.

In at least one embodiment, the fiducial(s) are secured to an outer portion of the first aircraft. As an example, the fiducial(s) are radio frequency identification (RFID) chips.

In at least one embodiment, the positioning radar is separate and distinct from a main radar of the second aircraft. The positioning radar is configured to operate at a first frequency, and the main radar is configured to operate at a second frequency that differs from the first frequency.

In at least one example, the second aircraft further includes an automatic positioning activator. The automatic positioning activator is configured to be engaged to transition the second aircraft from a manual control mode to the automatic positioning mode.

In at least one other example, the control unit automatically switches the second aircraft to the automatic positioning mode in response to the fiducial(s) being within range of the positioning radar.

In at least one embodiment, the one or more fiducials include at least three fiducials.

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide an automatic aircraft positioning method, including transmitting, from a positioning radar of a second aircraft, a radar transmit signal; receiving, by one or more fiducials installed on a first aircraft, the radar transmit signal; outputting, by the one or more fiducials, one or more return signals in response to the radar transmit signal; receiving, by the positioning radar, the one or more return signals; determining, by the positioning radar, a position of the second aircraft relative to the first aircraft from the one or more return signals; and automatically controlling, by a control unit of the second aircraft, the second aircraft in relation to the first aircraft based on said determining during an automatic positioning mode.

In at least one embodiment, the automatic aircraft positioning method also includes outputting, by the positioning radar, a position signal indicative of the position of the second aircraft relative to the first aircraft. Said automatically controlling includes receiving the position signal and automatically controlling at least one control of the second aircraft based on the position signal.

In at least one example, the automatic aircraft positioning method also includes engaging an automatic positioning activator of the second aircraft; and transitioning the second aircraft from a manual control mode to the automatic positioning mode in response to said engaging.

In at least one other example, the automatic aircraft positioning method also includes automatically switching, by the control unit, the second aircraft to the automatic positioning mode in response to the one or more fiducials being within range of the positioning radar.

