Rolls-Royce Seeks to Improve Air Refueling Missions

U.S. Air Force jets during a refueling operation. (photo courtesy: Rolls-Royce North America)

Rolls-Royce North America in Indianapolis has been awarded an $800,000 contract from the U.S. Department of Defense for the continued development of a software to help the military with mid-air refueling. The company says its digital technology will eliminate inefficiencies caused by disconnected systems and process challenges within air refueling operations.

The Rolls-Royce Air Refueling Optimization and Planning System was developed in partnership with Canada-based Applied Aeronautical Systems Inc., which specializes in flight path optimization and cost management.

Rolls-Royce says the project will improve on a solution to make the overall air refueling enterprise “more effective and efficient, which could lead to millions of dollars in cost savings” for the U.S. Air Force.