Northrop Simulates Global Hawk Aerial Refueling

By Graham Warwick graham_warwick@aviationweek.com
Washington

Northrop Grumman has simulated autonomous aerial refueling between two high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft by flying Scaled Composites’ Proteus in close proximity to a NASA RQ-4 Global Hawk.

At 45,000 ft., the manned Proteus, simulating the tanker, flew to within 40 ft. of the unmanned Global Hawk, acting as the receiver. The flight was conducted to reduce risk for ...

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