Boeing Refuelling Drone First Flight With Refuelling Pod

[deicer]

Now they have autonomous refuelling drones.

https://www.engadget.com/boeing-mq-25-tanker-drone-flies-with-refueling-pod-160152881.html

Boeing's tanker drone completes first flight with refueling pod

Human pilots won't have to handle mid-air fuel duties.

Humans might not have much involvement in mid-air refueling before long. Boeing has flown a test version of its MQ-25 tanker drone with a refueling pod attached for the first time, taking it one step closer to topping up military aircraft. The 2.5-hour flight showed that the autonomous drone’s aerodynamics were sound with the wing-mounted pod it’s expected to carry much of the time.

The test drone, T1, is a precursor to an “engineering development” model that will take Boeing one step closer to a finished vehicle.

This could be a crucial machine. The US Navy ultimately hopes to order more than 70 MQ-25 drones that will take over the fuel tanker role F/A-18 Hornet fighters have had to serve. The robotic aircraft should not only free those jets for their intended combat roles, but spare human pilots from having to fly a routine and often mundane mission. While that could lead to fewer pilots overall, it could also help keep people out of harm’s way.

[boestar]

so they cannot make a manned, proven aircraft like the 767 do it but they can do it woth a drone????

 

[deicer]

Do they want to have a manned aircraft?  That's becoming the question...

[Bobcaygeon]

19 hours ago, boestar said:

so they cannot make a manned, proven aircraft like the 767 do it but they can do it woth a drone????

 

If the USAF used the simple basket and probe teh 767 would have been operational long ago like the 330 MRTT but they use the boom, which has its benefits, but has clearly created the issue in addition to poor Boeing workmanship.

[Specs]

The aerodynamics look interesting.  Wing is far back, V tail instead of rudder, engine inlet, curved fuselage.  Looks like a lot of work from the advanced design group didn't go to waste.

[Super 80]

On 12/14/2020 at 9:27 AM, Bobcaygeon said:

If the USAF used the simple basket and probe teh 767 would have been operational long ago like the 330 MRTT but they use the boom, which has its benefits, but has clearly created the issue in addition to poor Boeing workmanship.

It would take hours to refuel a B-52 using the hose.

[deicer]

What makes this drone even more interesting is that as it states, it is for the navy.  

So it will be operating off carriers refuelling F-18s et al.

Drone carrier landings.  

Probably the hardest landing to stick, and it's given over to a computer.

 

[Kip Powick]

7 minutes ago, deicer said:

Drone carrier landings.  

Probably the hardest landing to stick, and it's given over to a computer.

 

For human beans...yes, but for a computer, given the speed at which it can compute and arrive at a solution, I would say it would be easier. They will probably land in "auto" mode just like the F-18s and EA6  Prowler...

[Kip Powick]

16 hours ago, Super 80 said:

It would take hours to refuel a B-52 using the hose.

Only need about 20 drones to refuel one  BUF (B-52)