Airbus UpNext achieves autonomous guidance and control of drone from tanker aircraft

Key points

• Airbus Defence and Space and Airbus UpNext demonstrated in-flight autonomous guidance and control of a drone from an A310 MRTT tanker aircraft.
• The Auto’Mate tests used DT-25 target drones as receiver aircraft and demonstrated autonomous relative navigation, communication and cooperative control.
• The event supports Airbus UpNext’s autonomous air-to-air refuelling technology lane.