Autonomous Refueling

Critical missions on the modern battlefield are characterized by the protection and strategic advantage of armored vehicles. Heavy armored vehicles have limited range and must stop for refueling, placing them in a particularly vulnerable position if refueling must take place during a mission and when traveling in a hostile environment. Long-distance movements are normally found at the end of an approach from the corps support area to the division tactical assembly area. Further, personnel must exit the vehicle to operate refueling equipment, placing them in a more vulnerable situation. Our Autonomous Refueling System, is able to support refueling operations during transit or on the battlefield to reduce vulnerability and support sustained missions. The opportunity for this technology is further evident as the Army has recently invested heavily in remote combat vehicles and there is now the need to support these promising vehicles with a logistics train that is equally advanced.