What is Aerial refueling or in-flight refueling or air-to-air refueling?
Aerial refueling also referred to as air refueling, in-flight refueling (IFR), air-to-air refueling (AAR), and tanking
It is the process of transferring aviation fuel from one military aircraft (the tanker) to another (the receiver) during flight
Here is a video of The Biggest Air Refueling Mishaps Caught On Camera
The two main types of refueling systems are :
- probe-and-drogue which is simpler to adapt to existing aircraft
- Flying boom, which offers faster fuel transfer, but requires a dedicated boom operator station.
The procedure allows the receiving aircraft to remain airborne longer, extending its range or loiter time on station
Advantages of Aerial refueling
A series of air refuelings can give a range limited only by crew fatigue and engineering factors such as engine oil consumption.
Because the receiver aircraft can be topped up with extra fuel in the air
Air refueling can allow a takeoff with a greater payload which could be weapons, cargo, or personnel
The maximum takeoff weight is maintained by carrying less fuel and topping up once airborne.
Related Article: When two SR-71 Pilots ejected at Mach 3 due to Midair Disintegrating
Alternatively, a shorter take-off roll can be achieved because take-off can be at a lighter weight before refueling once airborne.
It has also been considered as a means to reduce fuel consumption on long-distance flights greater than 3,000 nautical miles
Potential fuel savings in the range of 35-40% have been estimated for long-haul flights (including the fuel used during the tanker missions)
Usually, the aircraft providing the fuel is specially designed for the task
Related Article: List of Top 10 Biggest aircraft carriers in Service
Although refueling pods can be fitted to existing aircraft designs if the “probe-and-drogue” system is to be used
The cost of the refueling equipment on both tanker and receiver aircraft and the specialized aircraft handling of the aircraft to be refueled (very close “line astern” formation flying) has resulted in the activity only being used in military operations.
There is no known regular civilian in-flight refueling activity.
origin of Aerial refueling
Originally employed shortly before World War II on a very limited scale to extend the range of British civilian transatlantic flying boats,
After World War II on a large scale to extend the range of strategic bombers, aerial refueling since the Vietnam War has been extensively used in large-scale military operations for many different military aircraft operations.
For instance, in the Gulf War and the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait and the Iraq War, all coalition air sorties were air-refueled except for a few short-range ground attack sorties in the Kuwait area
