A data transfer method comprising performing a refuelling process including receiving, by an aircraft 104, fuel from a first entity remote from the aircraft 104, for example a tanker aircraft 102 and, during the refuelling process, sending data between the aircraft 104 and a second entity (for example, the tanker aircraft 102), the second entity being remote from the aircraft 104. To reduce the risk of fuel ignition the data is sent as a radio frequency signal having a frequency in the range 50GHz to 70GHz. Preferably, the data is sent as a radio frequency signal having a frequency in the range 57GHz to 66GHz, for example 60GHz, such a frequency being relatively covert, especially when used with narrow beam width antennae. A transmitter and/or receiver may be located in a refuelling drogue 110 connected to the tanker aircraft 102. The aircraft 104 may be an unmanned and/or low observable aircraft. The data may be sent over a short distance and may be mission data, refuelling data or positioning data. The tanker 102 may carry three transceivers 112, 114, 116 which can operate in either a ranging mode to assist in docking the aircraft 104 with the drogue 110 or a data link mode for transferring mission data.
Aircraft data transfer
2021-03-10
Patent
Electronic Resource
English
IPC: | B64D Ausrüstung für Flugzeuge , EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT |