DELIVERING ADVANCED CAPABILITIES IN A SMALL PACKAGE
A Prime platform provider asked Mercury Systems to develop a new system
to aid the pilot in pairing the probe. Within weeks, Mercury provided a beta
prototype of the drogue tracker system, leading to a final approved solution
that was designed to fit to the receiver aircraft and small enough to be
picked up and held with one hand. A combination of a sensor, an imaging
chip, and a lens system, the DTS subsystem has a uniquely designed
sensor with both a camera and an LED illuminator to light up the drogue
at night. Powered by an NVIDIA Jetson Xavier GPU, the DTS also includes
artificial-intelligence-based algorithms to guide aircraft or drone pilots.
INCREASED SAFETY AND AN IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD
The prime developer delivered a product that simplified missions while
improving the safety of both the crew and the aircraft. The camera and
illuminator allow pilots to identify the drogue from 30 feet away, even at night.
The sensor camera system provides high-quality imagery with a large field
of view to the pilot while simultaneously allowing the AI algorithms in the
GPU to recognize the drogue, understand how it is moving, and aid the pilot
in drogue engagement. It makes midflight refueling safer and simpler, and
not just for airplanes — it also works with uncrewed aircraft such as drones.
With these capabilities, the DTS solution serves as an important step forward
toward a future where the in-flight refueling process is fully automated.
Refueling is safer and simpler for U.S. Navy pilots with the DTS solution
from Mercury.
DROGUE TRACKING SYSTEM (DTS)
▪ Designed for high-altitude and high-
speed environments
▪ Latest camera sensor chip with
integrated lens delivers high-resolution
imagery within a wide field of view
▪ Wide dynamic range for vaious light-
level conditions
▪ Built-in illuminator for night-time and
low-light conditions
▪ Latest GPU processors maximize AI
performance per watt
▪ Compact and low-power design fits in
small spaces
The Mercury Systems logo is a registered trademark of Mercury Systems, Inc. Other marks used herein may be trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective holders. Mercury products identified in this document conform with the specifications and standards described
herein. Conformance to any such standards is based solely on Mercury 's internal processes and methods. The information contained in this
document is subject to change at any time without notice.
© 2023 Mercury Systems, Inc. 8213.00E-0923-cs-Drogue_Trkg_System ER-23-6349
MADE IN USA
Learn more
Contact: mission@mrcy.com
Corporate Headquarters
50 Minuteman Road
Andover, MA 01810 USA
+1 978.967.1401 tel
+1 866.627.6951 tel
+1 978.256.3599 fax
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Torrance, CA 90501
+1 310.320.3088 tel
CASE STUDY
AI in the Sky: Changing How Aircraft Refuel Midflight
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