Air refueling

Air refueling is a process in aviation where an aircraft receives fuel while in flight from another aircraft. This process allows the receiving aircraft to remain airborne longer, extend its range, or take off with a greater payload. Air refueling is also known as in-flight refueling, aerial refueling, or tankering.

History

The concept of air refueling was first proposed by Sir Alan Cobham in 1921. The first practical demonstration of air refueling was carried out by the United States Army Air Corps in 1923. The technique was further developed and used extensively during the World War II and the Korean War.

Methods

There are two main methods of air refueling: the probe-and-drogue system and the flying boom system. The probe-and-drogue system, used by the Royal Air Force and the United States Navy, involves a trailing hose with a drogue (a type of parachute) at the end. The receiving aircraft inserts a probe into the drogue to establish a connection. The flying boom system, used by the United States Air Force, involves a rigid telescoping tube that an operator on the tanker aircraft extends and inserts into a receptacle on the receiving aircraft.

Aircraft

Various types of aircraft have been used as tankers, including the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, the McDonnell Douglas KC-10 Extender, and the Airbus A330 MRTT. The receiving aircraft can be any type capable of being refueled in flight, from small fighters to large bombers.

Safety and Training

Air refueling is a complex operation that requires precise flying skills and careful coordination between the tanker and receiver crews. Training for air refueling is rigorous and includes both ground-based instruction and in-flight practice.

See also

• Aerial refueling in the United States military
• Probe-and-drogue
• Flying boom