Aircraft Carrier-based Precision Ship-Relative Navigation Guidance for Aircraft Landing under Emissions Control Conditions

The ability to refuel piloted aircraft in flight is considered a strategic military advantage and has been a critical element of success in nearly every US and NATO military engagement of the jet age. One key asset used to facilitate aerial refueling is PMA-201’s Aerial Refueling Store (ARS), which allows fighters and other store-carrying aircraft to be reconfigured as tankers. The ARS is set to undergo a redesign and update to replace the current aging fleet of pods. The new ARS 31-301-48310-8 (-8 ARS) will integrate several new technologies to provide a number of advancements to the current ARS, including the ability to produce the data needed to support engagement mishap investigations. These mishap investigations aid in the research to prevent reoccurrences and reduce future accidents. Under this effort, Coherent Technical Services, Inc. (CTSi) will develop an ARS based instrumentation system capable of recording critical engagement parameters including relative position data, closure rates, and video for post flight analysis. In addition, by providing real time tanker/drogue/receiver positioning and closure rates, the system as installed on the -8 ARS will be capable of supporting Automated Air to Air Refueling (A3R) with manned and unmanned receivers. The development of the ARS Instrumentation