U.S. Army Awards Contract of $1 Million to RE2 Robotics to Build Autonomous Robotic Refuelling Arm

U.S. Army has funded $1 million RE2 Robotics, a startup company. The company will develop an autonomous robotic arm that will refuel the AH-64 Apache attack helicopters.

The U.S. Army aims to bring into operation the robotic arm aims to reduce human efforts needed to refuel the helicopters. The service wants to allow the aircraft to continue their operations without the logistical ground-based facility. The service believes the autonomous refueling will enable hopping across Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Most importantly, the new technology will help Pentagon to protect its forces from being wiped out in ballistic or cruise missile attacks by the adversaries like Russia and China.The refueling project is known as Robotic Remote Refueling for Extended Missions. The project is funded by the Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center.The new project is a part of the Autonomous and Robotic Remote Refueling Point program. The program aims to develop autonomous refueling technologies.

The autonomous robotic arm system is capable of placing a fuel nozzle into the fuel port of the AH-64 helicopter and can disconnect when the helicopter is full. The robot has multiple sensors that allow creating situational awareness. It can operate in an unstructured environment.The new technology can free intensive personal assets, including aircraft carriers and assault ships. Through the new contract, the U.S. Army aims to cut personnel requirements.