In 2017, Aerobotix developed a turnkey robotic refueling system to assist military helicopters for the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center, or AMRDEC (*). A trial run was held at Redstone Arsenal, located minutes away from our office, as part of their Limited Initial Capabilities demonstration for a developing technology. This groundbreaking project represented a significant expansion of Aerobotix’s capabilities beyond traditional aerospace coating applications.

*Now the United States Army DEVCOM Aviation & Missile Center, or AvMC.

There were three major factors as to why AMRDEC considered robotics as a solution:

• Allow Army Aviation to increase the range of aircraft on the battlefield
• Protect soldiers while refueling in potentially hostile environments
• Reduce the aircraft’s time on the ground, minimizing vulnerability

Traditional manual refueling operations expose personnel to significant risks, particularly in combat zones where soldiers must remain exposed while handling fuel lines and monitoring the refueling process.

Although typically a robotic paint integrator, Aerobotix accepted the challenge to design a custom autonomous solution that included a FANUC industrial robot, vision sensor, and precision pump nozzle. The automated robot could accurately detect the helicopter’s fuel port, securely plug in the nozzle, and efficiently draw fuel into the tank. AMRDEC dubbed the system AR3P or Autonomous & Robotic Remote Refueling Point.

The system’s advanced vision technology enables it to adapt to different helicopter models and fuel port configurations, making it versatile across the Army’s diverse fleet.

Following the demonstration, Will Nikonchuk, the AR3P project lead, addressed the viewing audience, where he compared the robotic refueling system to the Army’s core mission.

“It makes sense for us to fill this need,” Nikonchuk proclaimed. “We address target acquisition and engagement all of the time as the Aviation and Missile Research and Development Community. That is what the AR3P does.”

Watch the demonstration below, courtesy of the AMRDEC YouTube page.