First, we take a brief review of the US Navy's X-47B carrier-based unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) which has succeeded in an aerial refueling flight test. Then, we analyze the basic usage of aerial refueling technology and discuss the effects of the technology's transplantation on manned aircraft in fleet formation flight, air-sea battle, independence of aircraft-carrier, and human pilot's aerial refueling capability generation modes. Also, we investigate the effects of refueled UCAVs on penetration to current air defense systems, improving manned aircraft's operational effectiveness, widening the technology gap with rivals, etc. Finally, we summarize several enlightenments in terms of foreign air power aerial refueling capacity establishment.

UCAV  /  aerial refueling  /  combat deployment  /  combat effectiveness