Aerial refueling systems and associated methods are disclosed. A system in
accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes an operator
input device configured to receive operator inputs and direct a first
input signal corresponding to a target position for an aerial refueling
device. A sensor can be positioned to detect a location of at least one
of the aerial refueling device and a receiver aircraft, and can be
configured to direct a second input signal. A controller can be
operatively coupled to the operator input device and the sensor to
receive the first and second input signals and direct a command signal to
adjust the position of the aerial refueling device in response to both
the first and second input signals, unless either or both of the input
signals are absent or below a threshold value. Accordingly, the system
can respond to both automatically generated sensor data and data input by
an operator. A fully automated version of the system can be installed on
an unmanned aircraft having additional capabilities, for example,
electronic surveillance and/or jamming capabilities.