Airbus takes step towards autonomous refuelling with A310 MRTT demonstration
The Airbus A310 MRTT flies with a DT-25 target drone during the Auto'Mate demonstration. (Photo: Airbus)
Airbus has demonstrated in-flight autonomous guidance and control of a UAV using an A310 MRTT tanker aircraft.
The demonstration by Airbus is a step towards autonomous formation flight and autonomous air-to-air refuelling for future operations with crewed and uncrewed fighters.
Airbus Defence and Space Head of Military Air Systems Jean-Brice Dumont said: ‘The success of this first flight-test campaign paves the way for developing autonomous and unmanned air-to-air refuelling technologies,
‘Even though we are at an early stage, we have achieved this within just one year and are on the right track for manned-unmanned teaming and future air force operations where fighters and mission aircraft will fly jointly with drone swarms.’
Related Articles
Farnborough 2022: Airbus launches Auto'Mate programme to test autonomous tanker tech
Technologies to achieve the demonstration integrated on the A310 MRTT and DT-25 target drones are known as ‘Auto’Mate’.
Over the Gulf of Cadiz, control of the target drone was transitioned from a ground station to the A310 tanker, autonomously guiding the DT-25 to an in-flight refuelling position.
A second campaign is planned for towards the end of 2023 and will explore navigation sensors based on artificial intelligence and enhanced algorithms for autonomous flight formation.
More from Air Warfare
-
![New vision-based navigation integration offers protection to UAS]()
New vision-based navigation integration offers protection to UAS
ESEN has integrated its vision-based navigation system into ArduPilot providing an alternative PNT source for UAS.
-
![L3 Technologies awarded $587 million contract for next stage of new Growler jammer]()
L3 Technologies awarded $587 million contract for next stage of new Growler jammer
The Next Generation Jammer-Low Band (NGJ-LB) is part of a larger NGJ system that will augment and ultimately replace the legacy ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System on the EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft.
-
![BAE Systems wins $4 million in DARPA cash for AI programme]()
BAE Systems wins $4 million in DARPA cash for AI programme
The challenges of getting artificial intelligence into a jet fighter’s cockpit have proved considerable to date. BAE Systems will take a machine-learning approach to the problem.
-
![Lockheed Martin and Tata sign Indian C-130J Super Hercules support agreement]()
Lockheed Martin and Tata sign Indian C-130J Super Hercules support agreement
India has a requirement for as many as 80 medium transport aircraft and the country already operates 12 C-130J aircraft.
