In-flight re-arming of military aircraft - is performed by using non-piloted towed flight vehicle carrying weapon payload

摘要

For in-flight re-arming of a receiver aircraft (1), a non-piloted lifting body flight vehicle (2) carrying a weapon payload (4) is towed to a rendezvous with the receiver aircraft. The flight vehicle is engaged with an extendable arm (10) carried by the receiver aircraft whilst the flight vehicle remains outside the region of aerodynamic influence of the receiver aircraft. The flight vehicle is then released from the tow line and is drawn up to the belly of the receiver aircraft where it is anchored in a re-armed position. Pref. the extendable arm (10) comprises a pivoted frame (11) and a hydraulic jack (13).