Boom load alleviation using visual means

A boom load alleviation system for in-flight refueling of an aircraft, said system comprising:

• a refueling tube having a set of flight surfaces and a plurality of targeting sights disposed thereon;
• each of said plurality of targeting sights having a light image convertible to one of a plurality of pixel images by at least one digital camera;
• said pixel images converted by said digital camera being transferable to a computer system;
• and
• wherein said computer system analyzes each of said plurality of pixel images to calculate a displacement occurring between any of said plurality of pixel images and generates a data signal for controlling said flight surfaces to correct said displacement.

A method to reduce bending stress in a refueling boom, said method comprising the steps of:

• disposing both a set of flight surfaces and a plurality of targeting sights having a light imageable shape on a refueling tube;
• converting said light imageable shape of each of said plurality of targeting sights to one of a plurality of pixel images by at least one digital camera;
• and
• transferring said pixel images converted by said digital camera to a computer system;
• calculating a displacement occurring between any of said plurality of pixel images with said computer system;
• and
• generating a data signal for controlling said flight surfaces to correct said displacement.