How do Fighter Jets Refuel in the Air?

Aerial refueling, the process of transferring fuel from a tanker to a receiver midair, is quite useful as it allows jets to fly longer and further. However, undertaking the procedure is a lot more complicated than it seems. This is because the tanker has a relatively small area to safely refuel an aircraft. This part of the procedure has two risks: going too far and breaching the area.

The last one could damage not just the refueling equipment, but the aircraft themselves in a potentially fatal collision. In 1966, aerial refueling caused a collision known as the Palomares incident that resulted in both planes being destroyed, seven out of the 11 total crew members losing their lives, and the receiver aircraft’s radioactive payload contaminating the crash site. That’s as bad as things can get!

So how do militaries decide refueling logistics based on the aircraft being flown? How do they know when it's safe to refuel? What are the two prevailing methods of aerial refueling? How is each one executed and which one is the safest? We answer these questions and more in our video.

#engineering

[Interestingengineeringofficial]

⚙ Want to know more about the latest tech and innovations? Don’t Miss Out!

[SplinterizZz]

When 2 planes connect, a baby bombing run is born. 🥰

[Orc-icide]

Wow, the air force just have really talented people.

[SmokingLaddy]

Ah so that is how baby planes are made!

[clashroyaleking]

My grandpa was in the Air Force and he did this

[hunterhalo]

As a KC-10/KC-46 boom operator, this video is fantastic and tells it well. Yes. It's a hard job lol

[mightron]

We've advanced so far in tech it's crazy

[yingcheng]

I didn't even know that they could, oops!

[garychadwick]

Although the fighters can fly further when accompanied by a tanker they will not fly faster. Usually they tank at much lower levels than normal cruising altitude, due to performance limitations - especially in hot climates like the gulf which makes the true air speed lower. Additionally, the refuelling hoses have a maximum speed limit of around 320kts indicated air speed. This is below most fighter jets cruise speed. These limitations make any long range tanker trail with fighters quite slow.

[mikejankowski]

For a slightly different take on the subject, watch the beginning of “Dr. Strangelove”.

[cossicowens]

I want to know how much the total cost was to fly to Afghanistan in a B-2 stealth bomber comes to.

[matthewdethlefson]

Does the tanker fly the entire trip/mission with the jets?

[adamsdailydriveway]

Just waiting for Elon to make a elec jet that needs charge every 500-700 miles….

[OscarA.BenitesNavarro]

Its the real deal U.S. Airforce (for good grown people averages (23-27) very good for sucess knowledge experiencing, sucessful life. 💗💗💘💘💟💟💓💓

[ComdrStew]

Surprised there is not a automatic system by now.

[thesupplyguy]

"My mind's tellin me nooo, but my bah-daaay..."

[northyland]

Why don't they have refueling for civilian aircraft?

[EagleGamerOfficialChannel]

The difficulty of inserting the fuel probe into the drogue is like putting a string through a needle,







In front of a fan

[web_physics]

Thinking about electric airplane ✈️ engine and photoelectric effect fuelling

[lawrencefoster]

I don't believe that it's as difficult as hitting a bullseye in wind.