Revolution in US aviation: KC-135 Stratotanker will become a drone
Merlin, which specializes in aircraft automation systems and converting them into drones, has been awarded a contract by the United States Air Force to convert a KC-135 Stratotanker tanker aircraft into a drone.
The company announced this on its website.
It is reported that the contract was concluded with the participation of the Air Mobility Command (AMC) and the US Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC).
Under the contract, it is planned to develop and gradually introduce certain elements of the Merlin Pilot system on the KC-135.
The transformation of the manned aircraft will be carried out in stages: first, the plan is to reduce the crew and its workload, then, as confidence in the system grows, the KC-135 will be able to perform tasks autonomously, without human intervention.
“We are proud to continue to work with the USAF as they expand safe, reduced crew options for their aircraft to develop and scale for future operational needs,” the company said in a statement.
Merlin’s agreement with the U.S. Air Force came after completing ground research, in-flight data collection, human factors studies, and initial integration projects with the goal of conducting a Merlin Pilot flight demonstration next year.
A series of joint flight demonstrations between the US Air Force and Merlin will include basic aerial refueling operations. In addition, the program should help create a next-generation aerial refueling system (NGAS).
As a reminder, in December 2013, Militarnyi reported on the use of US C-5M Super Galaxy aircraft as refueling aircraft.
On December 12, 2023, the crew of the 22nd Aviation Squadron successfully completed the task of refueling the KC-10 Extender refueling aircraft from the C-5M Super Galaxy by reverse fueling. During the operation, 10.6 tons of fuel were pumped on board the KC-10.
The concept of reverse refueling with military transport aircraft is designed to maintain readiness in critical scenarios. In addition, the potential loss of refueling aircraft is prevented and the efficiency of their use is increased.
