UAV FOCUS

摘要

THE BOEING MQ-25 Stingray recently undertook the first ever aerial refuelling of a manned aircraft by an unmanned platform. During a flight in June, the MQ-25 test asset N234N0. also known as T1 (Tail 1), successfully extended the hose and drogue from its US Navy-issued aerial refuelling store (ARS) and safely transferred fuel to a US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet. During the initial part of the test flight from MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in Mascoutah, Illinois, the F/A-18's pilot closely held formation with the T1 to check performance and stability prior to refuelling. This was critical because there would be as little as 20ft separation between the two aircraft, and they would function at "operationally relevant speeds and altitudes".