• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.46 no.7
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• pp.557-566
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• 2018

In this paper, a vision-based relative navigation system is addressed for autonomous aerial refueling. In the air-to-air refueling, it is assumed that the tanker has the drogue, and the receiver has the probe. To obtain the relative information from the drogue, a vision-based imaging technology by infra-red camera is applied. In this process, the relative information is obtained by using Gaussian Least Squares Differential Correction (GLSDC), and Levenberg-Marquadt(LM), where the drouge geometric information calculated through image processing is used. These two approaches proposed in this paper are analyzed through numerical simulations.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aviation and Aeronautics
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.1-10
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• 2013

This paper addresses the derivation of 6-DOF equation of Tanker and Receiver's aircraft for aerial refueling. The new set of nonlinear equations are derived in terms of the relative translational and rotational motion of receiver aircraft respect to the tanker aircraft body frame. Further the wind effect terms due to the tanker's turbulence are included. The derivation of absolute dynamic equation for tanker aircraft written in the inertial frame is calculated from the relative dynamics equations of receiver. The derived relative and absolute equations are implemented the simulation in the same flight conditions to verify the relative motion and compare the trim results by using the MATLAB/SIMULINK program.

• Journal of Aerospace System Engineering
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.70-80
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• 2022

An aerial refueling provides for extension of operational time and range for aircraft and enhances mission effectiveness, hence it application by most military aircrafts. The receiver aircraft should have the aerial refueling clearance that is established by performing technical and operational compatibility assessments to certify it for aerial refueling with a specific tanker model. The compatibility assessment includes aerial refueling handling qualities, functional, fuel, lighting system testing and it is finally verified through flight testing. However, since aerial refueling compatibility assessments have never been performed in Korea, there is no experience to determine the test requirements and the scope and size of the test program for a new development aircraft. This paper therefore introduces the common techniques of aerial refueling and aerial refueling flight test methods to understand the aerial refueling FCS (Flight Control System), OFP (operational flight program) and system validation, and aerial refueling envelope clearance of a fixed wing aircraft for a boom and receptacle refueling system that is being introduced into Korea Air Force.