Airbus completes 'mock' mid

The guidance and control test is a big step toward the long-term goal of an "end-to-end demonstration" in which the A310 refuels a DT-25 by itself, validating the manufacturer's concept of autonomous air-to-air refueling (A4R).

A second phase of testing, set to commence before the end of 2023, will involve simulated drones flying virtually in the airspace of the A310, so the tanker's collision avoidance capabilities can be further tested.

María Ángeles Martí, head of Tanker and Derivatives at Airbus Defense and Space, said that Airbus wants to see Auto'Mate technology certified and on the market by "the end of the decade."

The company has worked with the Republic of Singapore Air Force to improve automatic air-to-air refueling (A3R) on A330 MRTT planes. "We will start to upgrade this [A3R] technology for customers in the coming years," added Martí, but said that a decision on whether it will be an option or integrated as a standard feature of the aircraft has yet to be made.

Barriopedro said that the data from the first flight tests needs to be looked at more to determine how accurate and well they fit together.

“We need to analyze all the data that we have gathered from the [first] flight tests, from different cameras, LiDAR [imagery], different types of GPS [data], to assess how precise they are and how well] they have been integrated,” said Barriopedro. “Once we have done that, we will move to the next steps and increase autonomy levels,” he added.