Vision based controller for autonomous aerial refueling

Autonomous aerial refueling is an important capability for unmanned aerial vehicles. This paper develops a candidate autonomous probe-and-drogue aerial refueling controller for an existing vision based relative position sensor and navigation system. The feasibility of the combined sensor-navigator-controller is demonstrated by a simulated UAV docking maneuver to a moving drogue in light turbulence. Results indicate that the controller can provide precise aerial refueling with good disturbance rejection characteristics.