Air Refueling Planning System for Formation Fuel Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air refueling methods lack efficient planning systems that optimize fuel usage for multiple aircraft in formation, leading to suboptimal fuel efficiency and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and apparatus for planning air refueling, which includes an air refueling plug-in application capable of calculating routes for a formation of aircraft, utilizing a framework that provides services to optimize fuel efficiency by generating refueling plans between starting and destination points for receiver and tanker aircraft as a group.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If traditional air refueling methods are used without optimized planning, then the refueling process can be completed, but fuel efficiency is suboptimal and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary planning of refueling routes and sequences before actual refueling operations begin. The planning application calculates optimal refueling plans considering multiple receiver aircraft and tanker aircraft configurations, determining the most fuel-efficient routes and timing in advance, thereby avoiding suboptimal fuel consumption during execution
Solution Approach 2:
The refueling planning system dynamically adjusts routes and refueling sequences based on real-time conditions such as aircraft positions, fuel states, and operational requirements. The system can recalculate and modify refueling plans during missions to maintain optimal fuel efficiency as conditions change
Solution Approach 3:
The system optimizes multiple parameters simultaneously including aircraft speeds, altitudes, route selections, and refueling timing to maximize fuel efficiency. By changing these operational parameters in coordinated ways, the system achieves significant reductions in overall fuel consumption for both receiver and tanker aircraft
2Duration of action of moving object
If multiple receiver aircraft are refueled simultaneously, then operational range is extended, but coordination complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the refueling operation into distinct phases and individual aircraft plans, allowing each receiver aircraft to be planned and executed independently while maintaining overall coordination. The planning application divides the formation into manageable groups and sequences refueling events to reduce coordination complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The refueling planning system serves multiple receiver aircraft simultaneously with a single integrated planning application. The system universally applies the same optimization algorithms and coordination mechanisms across all aircraft in the formation, enabling scalable operations without proportionally increasing complexity
Solution Approach 3:
The system continuously monitors the positions, fuel states, and operational status of all aircraft in the formation, providing real-time feedback to adjust refueling plans. This feedback mechanism enables automatic coordination of multiple aircraft refueling operations, reducing the manual coordination burden while extending operational range
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for planning refueling. In one advantageous embodiment, the apparatus includes an air refueling plug-in application capable of calculating air refueling routes for a formation of aircraft and a plurality of plug-in applications. A framework capable of providing framework services to the air refueling plug-in application and the plurality of plug-in applications is present. The apparatus also includes a first interface for the air refueling plug-in application and the plurality of plug-in applications to receive the framework services from the framework. The apparatus also has a second interface for the air refueling plug-in application and plurality of plug-in applications to provide services from one plug-in application to another plug-in application. The first interface and the second interface are independent of the air refueling plug-in application and plurality of plug-in applications.