自动空中加油技术研究进展与关键问题

Progress and Challenges in Automatic Aerial Refueling

自动空中加油是空中加油的高级实现形式,其应用可极大拓展无人驾驶飞行器的效能,近几年正成为国外航空领域新兴的研究内容之一。在分析自动空中加油特点的基础上,对现有的两种空中加油方式作了比较。根据国外有关自动空中加油研究的最新进展,从传感器选择、加油状态下的控制器设计、仿真与测试3方面详细论述了其基本原理与技术问题,指出了在研究自动空中加油技术时,所需解决的传感器精度、会合对接策略、协同操作、命令与通信、导航算法等关键技术问题。最后针对其研究现状与现有技术能力,指明了近期可初步开发利用并有望实现的技术。

Automatic aerial refueling （AAR） is the advanced form of aerial refueling, its application can greatly extend the efficiency of unmanned aerial vehicles. And it has been a new research area of aeronautics in recent years. In this paper, a comprehensive review is made of state of art research in automated aerial refueling. By introducing the characteristic of AAR, the two existing methods of aerial refueling are compared with each other. The basic principles and technical approaches are discussed in detail. Three parts such as selection of sensor, controller design, simulation and testing, are particularly discussed to introduce the up to the minute investigation. Some important topics, including the sensor precision, maneuver rendezvous and docking strategy, cooperated operation, command and communication, and navigation algorithm are put forward as the fundamental problems and technical challenges in future aerial refueling research. Finally, the technologies which could be exploited primarily and come true in near future is pointed out.