On the fly: unmanned aerial vehicle refueling accomplished.

• Author: Williams, Robert H.
• Position: TECH TALK

The Air Research Laboratory and Boeing's Phantom Works have demonstrated that unmanned aerial vehicles can be refueled in the air. A KC-135R tanker from the New York Air National Guard and a specially equipped Learjet were used in the tests.

"This can enable a quicker response for time-critical targets and will reduce the need for forward staging refueling areas. Another benefit is increased in-theater military presence with fewer military assets," said David Riley, Boeing's automated...