The US Army tests refueling robots for combat helicopters

The US military is seeking to build refueling stations for automated robotic helicopters.

The army regularly set up refueling stations at forward bases so helicopters could return to the war as quickly as possible. However, the requirements of the crew create great risks and logistical headaches: you are taking the waiter to a dangerous place, isolating the battlefield for a fairly normal role (next fuel).

The AR3P will use a self-adjusting arm, coupling to connect the fuel line with the helicopter.

Luckily, the source from Engadget suggests that the US military might not need to face the risk any longer. Specifically, they are testing the Autonomous & Robotic Remote Refueling Point (AR3P: a self-propelled refueling station with robots and can be remotely controlled) . AR3P can provide fuel for helicopters without human intervention.

Like the Tesla robot charger, the AR3P will use a self-adjusting arm, coupling to connect the fuel line with the helicopter. In addition to avoiding endangering logistical soldiers, the system also has a faster pace of work than a human.

AR3P is currently in the stage of technical risk assessment and it still has to go through two phases with actual tests (including refueling trials for the Apache AH-64 helicopter). As planned, the US military will set up the first stations with full robots and only helicopter pilots who fight to refuel will face danger.