SNC System Performs First Ever Autonomous Airborne Refueling Engagement
Sparks, Nevada (September 13, 2006) – Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) announced today that its Autonomous Airborne Refueling Demonstration System (AARD) performed the first ever autonomous probe and drogue airborne refueling engagement on August 30 at Edwards AFB, CA. Utilizing a NASA F/A-18B and an Omega Air Refueling Services 707 tanker, the NASA Dryden flight test crew flew the F/A-18B to the designated pre-engagement position, activated the AARD system, and then “rode along” hands-off through a series of refueling engagements.
SNC developed the AARD system under a DARPA contract and worked closely with DARPA and NASA to develop a safe and effective flight test demonstration. For precision guidance, the AARD system uses a SNC developed blended relative GPS/INS solution and an optical tracker from teammate OCTEC Ltd. The GPS/INS solution provides the primary guidance during approach and departure to the drogue, as well as provides the station keeping function during the minutes-long tanking operation. The optical tracker is used close in to mate the probe and drogue.
Dubbed “a significant milestone” by DARPA and “unbelievably stable and smooth” by the NASA test pilot, the successful autonomous plugs were the culmination of a 15-month DARPA-funded technology demonstration program. SNC developed the AARD navigation, guidance and control hardware and software for both the F-18 and the Omega Air 707 tanker and integrated OCTEC’s optical tracker solution to ensure a precise and safe probe and drogue engagement. Program partner NASA integrated the AARD system onto the F-18 and orchestrated all aspects of flight operations and safety. Omega Air Refueling Services provided the Boeing 707-300 tanker. No modifications were made to the Tankers existing refueling systems.
SNC intends to transition this revolutionary technology onto manned and unmanned fixed and rotary wing platforms in the near future. SNC envisions that AARD precision guidance and navigation technology can be applied to manned air-to-air refueling operations to significantly enhance safety and dramatically reduce pilot workload especially in adverse weather.
NASA Test Pilot Dick Ewers and Flight Test Engineer Marty Trout fly hands-off during the first ever fully autonomous air refueling demonstration (credit: NASA)
A video of the first autonomous refueling engagement is available at: http://www.darpa.mil/body/news/current/AARD_FLT_778.wmv
Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) headquartered in Sparks, Nevada, is a fast growing
innovative and agile technology solutions corporation focusing on system integration
electronics engineering; manufacturing; and aircraft modification. Our current focus is to
specialize in the integration; design; development; installation; and servicing of complex
airborne, ground, and ship-based systems for the U.S. Government, its prime
contractors, and international customers.
SNC is a privately-held, woman owned business with a strong, stable and debt-free
financial foundation that provides flexible low-risk and strong financial performance for
our customers. We have invested heavily over the years in experienced people,
modern facilities, and the state-of-the-art equipment needed to enhance our capabilities,
development efforts to our customer’s technical advantage. SNC has over 1000
employees with 24 locations in 15 states across the United States.
SNC Enterprise Business Areas:
ISR - Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance
CNS/ATM - Communication, Navigation, Surveillance & Air Traffic Mgmt
C4N - Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Networks
EW/RI - Electronic Warfare / Range Instrumentation
SST - System Sensors and Technology
IMS - Integrated Mission Systems |
