Inflight connection of aircraft

An inflight connection system for aircraft, the system comprising:

• first and second aircraft each having at least one wing with a wingtip, the first and second aircraft each including:
• a primary connector selectively extendable from the wingtip;
• an alignment connector selectively extendable from the wingtip;
• and
• at least one male and female connector assembly disposed proximate the wingtip,
• wherein, the primary connectors extend a greater distance from the wingtips than the alignment connectors such that the primary connectors form a first connection between the first and second aircraft when the first and second aircraft are flying in a connection pattern;
• wherein, retraction of the primary connectors reduces wingtip separation of the first and second aircraft such that the alignment connectors form a second connection between the first and second aircraft establishing coarse alignment therebetween;
• wherein, retraction of the primary and alignment connectors further reduces wingtip separation of the first and second aircraft such that the at least one male and female connector assemblies form a third connection between the first and second aircraft establishing fine alignment therebetween;
• and
• wherein, at least a portion of the at least one male and female connector assembly of each aircraft is rotatable to threadably couple the first and second aircraft together wingtip-to-wingtip.

A method for inflight connection of aircraft having at least one wing with a wingtip, the method comprising:

• flying first and second aircraft in a connection pattern;
• extending a primary connector from the wingtips of the first and second aircraft;
• extending an alignment connector from the wingtips of the first and second aircraft;
• forming a first connection between the first and second aircraft with the primary connectors of the first and second aircraft;
• retracting the primary connectors to reduce wingtip separation of the first and second aircraft;
• forming a second connection between the first and second aircraft with the alignment connectors of the first and second aircraft to establish coarse alignment therebetween;
• retracting the primary and alignment connectors to further reduce wingtip separation of the first and second aircraft;
• forming a third connection between the first and second aircraft with male and female connector assemblies of the first and second aircraft to establish fine alignment therebetween;
• and
• threadably coupling the first and second aircraft together wingtip-to-wingtip by rotating at least a portion of the male and female connector assemblies.