Patent attributes
An automatic aircraft positioning system includes a first aircraft including one more fiducials, and a second aircraft including a positioning radar, control devices that are configured to control operation of the second aircraft, and a control unit in communication with the positioning radar and the control devices. The positioning radar is configured to transmit a radar transmit signal. The one or more fiducials are configured to receive the radar transmit signal and output one or more return signals in response to the radar transmit signal. The positioning radar is configured to receive the one or more return signals and determine a position and orientation of the second aircraft relative to the first aircraft, or vice versa, from the one or more return signals. The control unit is configured to automatically control the second aircraft in relation to the first aircraft during an automatic positioning mode.
