Technology Maturation for the Automated Aerial

Refueling (AAR) Project

Carol VentrescaSynGenics Corporation

Case Number: 88ABW-2009-4217, Distribution: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Jacob Hinchman, AFRL, AAR Program Manager

Daniel Schreiter, AFRL, AAR Deputy Program Manager

Ba Nguyen, AFRL, AAR Chief Engineer

Jordan Adams, AFRL, AAR Systems Engineering Lead

Robert McCarty, SynGenics Corporation

Co-Authors

2Case Number: 88ABW-2009-4217, Distribution: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited

• Early Systems Engineering (SE) in

Acquisition

• Technology Maturation (Tech Mat) in Early SE

• AAR Program Background

• Tech Mat Planning for AAR

Outline

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Outline

• Early Systems Engineering (SE) in

Acquisition

• Technology Maturation (Tech Mat) in Early SE

• AAR Program Background

• Tech Mat Planning for AAR

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How Do AF and DoD Define Systems Engineering?

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When Does AF Say SE Should First Be Applied?

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Science & Technology (S&T) Role in Early SE

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Does Early SE Pay Off?

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Outline

• Early Systems Engineering (SE) in

Acquisition

• Technology Maturation (Tech Mat) in Early SE

• AAR Program Background

• Tech Mat Planning for AAR

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SE Provides a Technical Foundation for Acquisition

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Outline

• Early Systems Engineering (SE) in

Acquisition

• Technology Maturation (Tech Mat) in Early SE

• AAR Program Background

• Tech Mat Planning for AAR

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AAR Phase IINational AAR Team

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Case Number: 88ABW-2009-4217, Distribution: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited

• Unmanned Aerial Vehicles – Extends Range – Shortens Response for Time-Critical Targets– Maintains In-Theater Presence Using Fewer Assets– Allows Deployment with Manned Fighters and Attack

Without the Need of Forward Staging Areas

Significance to Air Force

• Manned Aircraft– Provides Adverse Weather Operations

– Improves Fueling Efficiency

– Improves Pilot Workload

AAR Assists UCAVs in Reaching Its Full Potential,and Greatly Enhances Manned Refueling

“How does it (J-UCAS) air refuel? … which is persistence and endurance, things men can’t do in airplanes ” -Gen. John Jumper, USAF, February 2005

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Case Number: 88ABW-2009-4217, Distribution:

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UCAS Mission/AR Overview

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Key Technology Challenges

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AAR Spiral Approach toTechnology Development

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Precision GPS Closed-Loop Station Keeping Flt Test Aug 06

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AAR UAS Surrogate

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AAR Station-Keeping Flight TestExample Contact Position Performance

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Phase II AAR Test Plan

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Outline

• Early Systems Engineering (SE) in

Acquisition

• Technology Maturation (Tech Mat) in Early SE

• AAR Program Background

• Tech Mat Planning for AAR

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• Reduce key risks to transition• Technical maturity, documentation, and impressions

• Mature AAR technology into a robust design, with supporting analysis and specifications

• Safety, LO-compatibility, system health monitoring,

FMECA, specifications

• Develop prototype system based on design demonstrating feasibility of design

• Robust testing of prototype to determine adequacy of

design and failure modes

Key Technical Objectivesfor AAR Phase II

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Automated Aerial Refueling (AAR)Phase II Way Forward

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• Technology Participants• Technology Demonstration Plan

• Requirements Documentation• Program Objective• Approach• Technology Development Required• Applicable Systems• Product/Payoff/Exit Criteria• Programs/Activities Related to AAR Success• Programs/Missions Supported by AAR• Technology Milestones List• Technology Deliverables• Risk Analysis• Technology Protection Plan

Critical Elements of AAR II Technology Maturation Planning

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• Acquisition Strategy• Target Acquisition Programs• Stakeholders• Capability Document• Availability Dates for Technologies• Functional Strategies

• Flight Qualification• Airworthiness Certification• Environmental Qualification• Logistics Support

• Technology/Acquisition Bridge

Critical Elements of AAR II Technology Maturation Planning

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• Process Flow

• Change Requests

• Requirements Change Control Board

• Tools

• Products

• Baseline

• Traceability

• Verification Methods

Elements of Management Plan to Mature Requirements for AAR

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Case Number: 88ABW-2009-4217, Distribution: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited