High flying, high fueling

Using a software interface, HURT linksdifferent aerial platforms to build a unifiedpicture of the combat area.HURT technologies weredeveloped for the military, butthey could be used for otherapplications, such as borderpatrol and law enforcement.As information technologysolutions designed to control multipleUAVs improve, demand for specializedvehicles will grow.For example, AeroVironment Inc. hasreceived $19.3 million in orders from theMarine Corps for the company'sBattlefield Air Targeting Micro AirVehicle systems.Each system consists of two Wasp IIImicro air vehicles, AeroVironment'sAdvanced Battery Charger, spares and supportservices.Weighing one pound with a wingspan of29 inches, the Wasp III carries oneinfrared camera and two color camerasthat transmit streaming video to a handheldground controller.The Wasp III systems will be used at theplatoon level.The mid-air refueling project illustratesthe Defense Department's desire to useunmanned systems for a greater number ofmissions.The system uses a specialized GlobalPositioning System receiver and a recentlydeveloped data link on each aircraft. Fortesting purposes, Learjets rather thanUAVs are the surrogate receivers.The tanker's inertial navigation systemand GPS data go across the data link to thereceiver aircraft. The receiver aircraft usesthe tanker's and its own data to calculate itsposition relative to the tanker. It then usesthat information to drive the flight controlsystem on the receiver aircraft."The operations around the tanker arepretty well scripted by the operations community,"Schreiter said. "We've adapted theF-16 concepts of operations for our project,so we've established the positions that thereceiver aircraft should be around thetanker and we can direct the aircraft tothose positions."The GPS/datalink system takes the placeof a pilot seeing the tanker and maneuveringto the correct position.At this point, the biggest challenge isrefining the technology."We are really merging twopretty new pieces of equipment:this precision GPS receiver andthe datalink," Schreiter said.The UAV has to settle into anarrow space behind the tankerdefined by the length of the boomthat delivers the fuel. If the planecan't navigate into that space and stay therelong enough, the refueling won't work."From our system, to meet those tolerances,you have to pretty well control yournavigation control from the GPS system,via the [data] transmitted across this link,"Schreiter said.This concept of giving UAVs new capabilitiesis likely to be a fertile line of businessfor years to come.The navigation technology to get fromplace to place is well-defined. "It's this finalrendezvous and rejoin that's unique to whatwe're working on now," Schreiter said.