IAI has already simulated scenarios in which UAVs
could autonomously refuel other UAVs.
Sources said that the UAV development project is
likely to be led by Israel Aircraft Industries
Ltd. (IAI), Israel's sole provider of aerial
refueling capabilities, and a key manufactured of
UAV systems. Over recent years, an IAI unit has
been converting Boeing 707, C-130 and Ilyushin
aircraft into air tankers and equipped dozens of
fighter aircraft and helicopters with aerial
refueling capability
Tanker UAVs would meet Air Force requirements for
increasingly multi-mission unmanned aircraft by
expanding the number of missions that could be
done on the same UAV platform.
Defense and industry sources here said tanker
UAVs would ease the burden of controlling so many
unmanned platforms without reducing the
persistent presence needed to quickly put weapons
on a spotted target.
The Israel Air Force is considering unmanned
aerial vehicles (UAVs) that can refuel in midair,
and unmanned tankers that can haul the fuel up
and autonomously deliver it.
Tanker concepts worthy of evaluation include
refueling among "like-minded platforms such as
a UAV refueling a UAV," or manned aircraft whose
speed and altitude are optimized for midair
servicing of pilotless fighters according to
Brig. Gen. Yohanan Loker.