EXCLUSIVE: X-47B May Begin Automated Aerial Refueling Demonstrations Next Year - Blog: The Navy’s carrier-based unmanned aircraft demonstrator is undergoing preparations for automated aerial refueling testing next year, including a possible flight demonstration using the aircraft itself, said officials from the service and X-47B manufacturer Northrop Grumman.
Thusfar, the Navy had used a surrogate aircraft for AAR testing.
The service in June 2014 awarded a contract modification to Northrop Grumman for aerial refueling research, development, test and evaluation efforts at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland, Capt. Beau Duarte, the Navy’s X-47B program manager, wrote in an emailed statement.
“Those efforts include additional [aircraft carrier] detachments and AAR software coding through the remainder of this calendar year. If resources allow, the Navy may demonstrate autonomous engagement flight testing in fiscal year 2015,” he said.
