UAV FOCUS

摘要

BOEING AND the US Navy have been flight testing the MQ-25 T1 test asset with the Cobham Mission Systems 31-301 aerial refuelling store (ARS) - the same 'buddy' air-to-air refuelling system that is used by US Navy F/A-18 Hornets and Super Hornets. The initial flight was conducted by Boeing in December, with test pilots operating from a ground control station at MidAmerica St Louis Airport in Mascoutah, Illinois. Further test sorties on the aerodynamics of the aircraft at various points of the flight envelope with the ARS mounted under the wing were undertaken in subsequent weeks and eventually progressed to extension and retraction of the hose and drogue used for refuelling.