Automation of Docking of Remotely Сontrolled Refueling Devices in the Air

The issues of automating the air-to-air refueling of civilian aircraft are considered here. The main attention is paid to the stage of contacting of the "floating up" drogue with of the probe of refueling of the tanker aircraft. The options for implementing this technology are discussed, based on the automatic control loop of the tanker thrust in the mode of change according to the exponential law of approach speed as a function of the range between the refueling devices. To implement an exponential speed change program, it is proposed to use predictive control based on a dynamic process model. An alternative approach to automating the process of approaching the fueling devices involves using remote control of the unwinding of the fuel hose drum of the outboard fueling unit to control of the speed of approach of refueling devices. Such control is less inertial than controlling the flight speed of a multi-ton tanker.