System and method of automatic piloting for in-flight refuelling of aircraft, and aircraft comprising said system

An automatic-piloting method for controlling in-flight refuelling operations of a receiver aircraft, comprising the steps of:

• detecting, via a first detector arranged on the receiver aircraft, first geometrical information associated to first and second detection areas belonging to a tanker aircraft, said first detection area being related to said second detection area by a geometrical relation known to the automatic-piloting system;
• determining, on the basis of the first geometrical information detected, first position information associated to a relative position of the receiver aircraft with respect to the tanker aircraft;
• and
• varying flight parameters of the receiver aircraft on the basis of the first position information.

An aircraft, comprising an automatic-piloting system configured for being arranged on a receiver aircraft for controlling an in-flight refuelling operation fo the receiver aircraft, comprising:

• a first detector, arranged on the receiver aircraft and configured for acquiring first geometrical information associated to a first detection area and a second detection area belonging to a tanker aircraft, said first detection area being related to said second detection area by a geometrical relation known to the automatic-piloting system;
• a processor, configured for determining, on the basis of the first geometrical information acquired, first position information associated to a relative position of the receiver aircraft with respect to the tanker aircraft;
• and
• an automatic-pilot device coupled to said processor and configured for varying flight parameters of the receiver aircraft on the basis of the first position information.