Legionnaire International has been awarded a $3.19 million AFWERX contract to develop and deliver the Small Hybrid Aerial Refuelling Kit (SHARK). This innovative refuelling boom system, which may be podded for tactical aircraft, aims to address critical challenges faced by the U.S. Department of the Air Force (DAF).
The kit could be used to refuel both crewed aircraft and UAS while in-flight, potentially increasing their range. Operational range is one of the key limitations of UAS, particularly those used for surveillance or to strike distant targets, however refuelling in contested airspaces would be its own challenge.
Legionnaire International, a specialist in weapons and carriage systems, aerospace components and critical defence technologies, will serve as the prime contractor. Key partners in this project include MatrixSpace, Sixdof Space and Target Arm.
The Air Force Research Laboratory and AFWERX have streamlined the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programmes, enabling small businesses like Legionnaire to innovate more rapidly.
These programmes were designed to reduce bureaucratic delays and open the door to a broader pool of applicants. The SHARK system will provide a modular refuelling solution for both crewed and uncrewed aircraft, playing a crucial role in extending the operational reach of airpower for the U.S. and its allies.
J.R. “Flash” Starch, CEO of Legionnaire, emphasised the importance of in-flight refuelling:
“Rapid and sustained power projection depends upon the long reach of airpower which, in turn, hinges on the availability of sufficient in-flight air refueling. Our modular SHARK system will enable traditional and non-traditional tanker aircraft to safely refuel current and future military aircraft in flight – whether crewed or uncrewed.”
“It also provides this critical capability to our tactical fleet as NGAS matures. This is particularly valuable as the U.S. and our allies depend increasingly upon collaborative combat aircraft and other uncrewed, autonomous aircraft. The SHARK is a perfect example of how to reimagine a standard practice and we are thrilled to be involved in this project with our partners.”
The contract is the latest effort by the U.S. Air Force to address the evolving needs of modern air combat, particularly as UAS become more widely utilised in military operations.
Post Image – A KC-30A refuels a jet in-flight using a boom system (Post Image Credit: Air Force Materiel Command).
