Aerial refueling planes could be insanely compact in the future?
A new page has been added to the history of unmanned aerial vehiclesOn June 7, 2021 (Monday), Boeing, a major American aircraft manufacturer, announced that it had succeeded in aerial refueling with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for the first time in history. .
Aerial refueling was carried out by Boeing's MQ-25 Test Unit 1 (T1). It is said that the hose and drogue were extended and the fuel was supplied safely.
The distance between the unmanned MQ-25 and the F/A-18 "Super Hornet" was only about 20 feet (about 6.1m).
Boeing UAV refueling a U.S. Navy F/A-18 fighter in mid-air... > > Boeing in-flight refueling a U.S. Navy F/A-18 "Super Hornet" fighter (right) of the MQ-25T1 (Image: Boeing).According to Boeing, the MQ-25 will be placed on a US Navy aircraft carrier in the second half of 2021 to conduct deck handling tests, and will continue flight tests before being sent to Norfolk Naval Base in Virginia. is.
Regarding the success of the aerial class with this unmanned aerial vehicle, Boeing Defense President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Leanne Caret said, "This historic success is due to the MQ-25's characteristic aerial refueling capability. "Kudos to the combined Boeing and Navy teams who are doing everything in their power to get this to the U.S. Navy as soon as possible."
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