Controllable Refueling Drogue with Autonomous Guidance

The drogue is equipped with its own actuatable device and guidance system that enables it to autonomously navigate and position itself relative to the receiver aircraft without requiring complex control systems on the tanker aircraft. The drogue independently adjusts its position using actuators that control vanes and canopy, making the system adaptable to different aircraft types while maintaining precise positioning.

The drogue incorporates movable vanes and an adjustable canopy that can dynamically change their configuration to control the drogue's position and orientation in flight. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the drogue to adapt to varying flight conditions and maintain precise positioning despite the flexibility of the hose connection.

The guidance system and actuatable device are extracted from the tanker aircraft and installed directly on the drogue. This transfers the complexity and cost from the tanker aircraft to the drogue, allowing the tanker to remain relatively simple while still achieving automated precise positioning. The drogue becomes the intelligent component that autonomously positions itself.

The drogue acts as an intermediary between the tanker aircraft and the receiver aircraft. It carries the guidance and control systems, serving as the active element that manages the refueling connection. This intermediary approach allows automated positioning without requiring complex systems on either the tanker or receiver aircraft.