1528:, SR-71s had to be forward-deployed to Europe and Japan prior to flying actual reconnaissance missions. These trans-Pacific and trans-Atlantic flights during deployment were impossible without aerial refueling. The SR-71's designers traded takeoff performance for better high-speed, high-altitude performance, necessitating takeoff with less-than-full fuel tanks from even the longest runways. Once airborne, the Blackbird would accelerate to supersonic speed using afterburners to facilitate structural heating and expansion. The magnitude of temperature changes experienced by the SR-71, from parked to its maximum speed, resulted in significant expansion of its structural parts in cruise flight. To allow for the expansion, the Blackbird's parts had to fit loosely when cold, so loosely, in fact, that the Blackbird constantly leaked fuel before heating expanded the airframe enough to seal its fuel tanks. Following the supersonic dash the SR-71 would then rendezvous with a tanker to fill its now nearly empty tanks before proceeding on its mission. This was referred to as the
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initial contact, the hose and drogue is pushed forward by the receiver a certain distance (typically, a few feet), and the hose is reeled slowly back onto its drum in the HDU. This opens the tanker's main refueling valve allowing fuel to flow to the drogue under the appropriate pressure (assuming the tanker crew has energized the pump). Tension on the hose is aerodynamically 'balanced' by a motor in the HDU so that as the receiver aircraft moves fore and aft, the hose retracts and extends, thus preventing bends in the hose that would cause undue side loads on the probe. Fuel flow is typically indicated by illumination of a green light near the HDU. If the hose is pushed in too far or not far enough, a cutoff switch will inhibit fuel flow, which is typically accompanied by an amber light. Disengagement is commanded by the tanker pilot with a red light.
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981:. In the KC-97, the mixed gasoline/kerosene fuel system was clearly not desirable and it was obvious that a jet-powered tanker aircraft would be the next development, having a single type of fuel for both its own engines and for passing to receiver aircraft. The 230 mph (370 km/h) cruise speed of the slower, piston-engined KC-97 was also a serious issue, as using it as an aerial tanker forced the newer jet-powered military aircraft to slow down to mate with the tanker's boom, a highly serious issue with the newer supersonic aircraft coming into service at that time, which could force such receiving aircraft in some situations to slow down enough to approach their
683:, but the war ended before the aircraft could be deployed. After the war ended, the USAF bought a small number of FRL looped-hose units and fitted a number of B-29s as tankers to refuel specially equipped B-29s and later B-50s. The USAF made only one major change in the system used by the RAF. The USAF version had auto-coupling of the refueling nozzle, where the leader line with the refueling hose is pulled to the receiver aircraft and a refueling receptacle on the belly of the aircraft, allowing high-altitude air-to-air refueling and doing away with the aircraft having to fly to a lower altitude to be depressurized so a crew member could manually do the coupling.
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contact with the rigid boom. If not pushed far enough, the probe will disengage, halting fueling. Because of a much smaller position-keeping tolerance, staying properly connected to a KC-135 adapter unit is considerably more difficult than staying in a traditional hose/drogue configuration. When fueling is complete, the receiver carefully backs off until the probe refueling valve disconnects from the valve in the basket. Off center disengagements, like engagements, can cause the drogue to "prang" the probe and/or strike the aircraft's fuselage.
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the US, whose air force is also taking its first deliveries of the aircraft type, has refused to move forward the deliveries while supporting Israel's deterrence; the Jpost editor writing "The US State
Department approved the possible sale of up to eight KC-46 tanker aircraft and related equipment to Israel for an estimated cost of $ 2.4 billion last March(i.e. 5/2020), marking the first time that Washington has allowed Jerusalem to buy new tankers."
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that use the "probe-and-drogue" system, and also allied aircraft, such as those from the UK and Saudi Arabia. KC-135s may be equipped with a drogue depending on the mission profile. With a full jet fuel load, the KC-10A is capable of flying from a base on the
American east coast, flying nonstop to Europe, transferring a considerable amount of fuel to other aircraft, and returning to its home base without landing anywhere else.
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1449:, or to bomb the USSR first had it been ordered to do so. The bombers would fly orbits around their assigned positions from which they were to enter Soviet airspace if they received the order, and the tankers would refill the bombers' fuel tanks so that they could keep a force in the air 24 hours a day, and still have enough fuel to reach their targets in the Soviet Union. This also ensured that a
1663:. Mirage IVAs also often operated in pairs, with one aircraft carrying a weapon and the other carrying fuel tanks and a buddy refueling pack, allowing it to refuel its partner en route to the target. While able to strike at numerous targets inside of the Soviet Union, the inability for the Mirage IV to return from some missions had been a point of controversy during the aircraft's design phase.
1320:. Both are on the aircraft centerline at the tail of the aircraft, so only one can be used at once. However, such a system allows all types of probe- and receptacle-equipped aircraft to be refueled in a single mission, without landing to install an adapter. Other tankers are equipped with hose-and-drogue attachments that do not interfere with the operation of the centerline boom: many
1576:", because they convey considerable tactical advantages. Primarily, aerial refueling adds to the combat radius of attack, fighter and bombers aircraft, and allows patrol aircraft to remain airborne longer, thereby reducing the number of aircraft necessary to accomplish a given mission. Aerial refueling can also mitigate basing issues that might otherwise place limitations on combat
1532:(for "Launch To Tanker Rendezvous") profile. LTTR had the added advantage of providing an operational test of the Blackbird's refueling capability within minutes after takeoff, enabling a Return-To-Launch-Site abort capability if necessary. At its most efficient altitude and speed, the Blackbird was capable of flying for many hours without refueling. The SR-71 used a special fuel,
3893:(p. 5) Certes, la posture méditerranéenne ne pouvait totalement résoudre la question de l'autonomie après le largage de la bombe à gravité AN-21 puis AN-22, et il était imaginé, au pire, des vols «kamikaze» jusqu'aux cibles russes mais également des profils de vols de retour avec planification des zones de crash, avec l'abandon de l'équipage au-dessus de territoires alliés.
1348:(the tanker variant was Tu-16Z). used a wing-to-wing method. Similar to the probe-and-drogue method but more complicated, the tanker aircraft released a flexible hose from its wingtip. An aircraft flying alongside had to catch the hose with a special lock under its wingtip. After the hose was locked and the connection was established, the fuel was pumped.
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into the basket. This requires a closure rate of about two knots (walking speed) to push the hose several feet into the HDU and solidly couple the probe and drogue. Too little closure will cause an incomplete connection and no fuel flow (or occasionally leaking fuel). Too much closure is dangerous because it can trigger a strong transverse
1119:, attached at its narrow end (like the "cork" nose of a shuttlecock) with a valve to a flexible hose. The drogue stabilizes the hose in flight and provides a funnel to aid insertion of the receiver aircraft probe into the hose. The hose connects to a Hose Drum Unit (HDU). When not in use, the hose/drogue is reeled completely into the HDU.
1580:. Combat aircraft operating from airfields with shorter runways must limit their takeoff weight, which could mean a choice between range (fuel) and combat payload (munitions). Aerial refueling, however, eliminates many of these basing difficulties because a combat aircraft can take off with a full combat payload and refuel immediately.
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continuous airborne patrols were flown by the RAF for a time, these were deemed to be untenable, and the refueling mechanisms across the Vulcan fleet largely fell into disuse during the 1960s. When the RAF chose to optimise its bomber fleet away from high-altitude flight and towards low-level penetration missions, bombers such as the
1617:, would operate largely or entirely out of bases in the continental United States while maintaining strategic reach. This practice was promoted to address security concerns as well as diplomatic objections from some overseas nations that did not want foreign nuclear weapons being kept on their soil. In one early demonstration of the
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suffering structural damage. A so-called "broken probe" (actually a broken fuel valve, as described above) may happen if poor flying technique is used by the receiver pilot, or in turbulence. Sometimes the valve is retained in the tanker drogue and prevents further refueling from that drogue until removed during ground maintenance.
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629:. The line was then drawn back into the tanker where the receiver's cable was connected to the refueling hose. The receiver could then haul back in its cable bringing the hose to it. Once the hose was connected, the tanker climbed sufficiently above the receiver aircraft to allow the fuel to flow under gravity.
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supersonic bomber. The dimensions of this bomber was greatly determined by the viability of aerial refueling, with work on an enlarged variant of the Mirage IV ultimately being aborted in favour of a greater reliance upon aerial tanker aircraft instead. In order to refuel the Mirage IVA fleet, France
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These concerns can be addressed by drogue adapters (see section "Boom drogue adapter units" above) that allow drogue aircraft to refuel from boom-equipped aircraft, and by refuelers that are equipped with both drogue and boom units and can thus refuel both types in the same flight, such as the KC-10,
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The tanker aircraft flies straight and level and extends the hose/drogue, which is allowed to trail out behind and below the tanker under normal aerodynamic forces. The pilot of the receiver aircraft extends the probe (if required) and uses normal flight controls to "fly" the refueling probe directly
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To complete an aerial refueling, the tanker and receiver aircraft rendezvous, flying in formation. The receiver moves to a position behind the tanker, within safe limits of travel for the boom, aided by director lights or directions radioed by the boom operator. Once in position, the operator extends
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Usually, the aircraft providing the fuel is specially designed for the task, although refueling pods may be fitted to existing aircraft designs in the case of "probe-and-drogue" systems. The cost of the refueling equipment on both tanker and receiver aircraft and the specialized aircraft handling of
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with a crew of two set the world record for the longest continuous crewed flight without landing of 64 days, 22 hours, 19 minutes, and five seconds in 1958. A Ford truck was outfitted with a fuel pump, tank, and other paraphernalia required to support the aircraft in flight. The publicity flight for
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boom refueling tankers and has requested that the first two aircraft be fast-tracked for delivery in 2022 when they were to be delivered in 2023. The
Jerusalem Post reports that Israeli commanders have made this request to enhance the strategic deterrence against Iran, the same article reports that
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In 1958, Valiant tankers in the UK were developed with one HDU mounted in the bomb-bay. Valiant tankers of 214 Squadron were used to demonstrate radius of action by refueling a
Valiant bomber non-stop from UK to Singapore in 1960 and a Vulcan bomber to Australia in 1961. Other UK exercises involving
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KC-135FR refueling-boom equipped tankers can be field-converted to a probe-and-drogue system using a special adapter unit. In this configuration, the tanker retains its articulated boom, but has a hose/drogue at the end of it instead of the usual nozzle. The tanker boom operator holds the boom still
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to develop a refueling system that could transfer fuel at a higher rate than had been possible with earlier systems using flexible hoses, resulting in the flying boom system. The B-29 was the first to employ the boom, and between 1950 and 1951, 116 original B-29s, designated KB-29Ps, were converted
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On 6 July 1951, the first combat air refueling of fighter-type aircraft took place over Korea. Three RF-80As launched from Taegu with the modified tip-tanks and rendezvoused with a tanker offshore of Wonsan, North Korea. Through in-flight refueling, the RF-80s effectively doubled their range, which
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strategic bomber was underway, British officials recognised that its operational flexibility could be improved by the provision of in-flight refueling equipment. Accordingly, from the 16th aircraft to be completed onwards, the Vulcan was furnished with in-flight refueling receiving equipment. While
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and back (exercise "Shiksha"). After the retirement of the
Valiant in 1965, the Handley Page Victor took over the UK refueling role and had three hoses (HDUs). These were a fuselage-mounted HDU and a refueling pod on each wing. The center hose could refuel any probe-equipped aircraft, the wing pods
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The US Air Force fixed-wing aircraft use the flying boom system, along with
Australia (KC-30A), the Netherlands (KDC-10), Israel (modified Boeing 707), Japan (KC-767), Turkey (KC-135Rs), and Iran (Boeing 707 and 747). The system allows higher fuel flow rates (up to 1,000 US gallons (3,800 L) /
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were used in the 1939 trials to perform aerial refueling of the Empire flying boats for regular transatlantic crossings. From 5 August to 1 October 1939, sixteen crossings of the
Atlantic were made by Empire flying boats, with fifteen crossings using FRL's aerial refueling system. After the sixteen
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An extremely useful tanker in Desert Storm was the USAF's KC-10A Extender. Besides being larger than the other tankers deployed, the KC-10A is equipped with the USAF "boom" refueling and also the "hose-and-drogue" system, enabling it to refuel not only USAF aircraft, and also USMC and US Navy jets
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Some historic systems used for pioneering aerial refueling used the grappling method, where the tanker aircraft unreeled the fuel hose and the receiver aircraft would grapple the hose midair, reel it in and connect it so that fuel can be transferred either with the assistance of pumps or simply by
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approaches a warship (not necessarily suited for landing operations) and receives fuel through the cabin while hovering. Alternatively, some helicopters like the HH-60 Pave Hawk are equipped with a probe extending out the front can be refueled from a drogue-equipped tanker aircraft in a similar
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to withstand the extreme skin temperatures generated during Mach 3+ cruise flight. While JP-7 could be used by other aircraft, its burn characteristics posed problems in certain situations (such as high-altitude, emergency engine starts) that made it less than optimal for aircraft other than the
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The NATO-standard probe system incorporates shear rivets that attach the refueling valve to the end of the probe. This is so that if a large side or vertical load develops while in contact with the drogue, the rivets shear and the fuel valve breaks off, rather than the probe or receiver aircraft
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tankers were also used to refuel
British and coalition aircraft and were popular with the US Navy for their docile basket behavior and having three point refueling stations. An additional track was maintained close to the northwest border for the E-3 AWACS aircraft and any Navy aircraft needing
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in South
Vietnam. In addition to making multiple en route stops to refuel on the ground, aerial refueling was also used in this display of the type's long-range capabilities. The flight proved to be roughly four times faster than the traditional dispatching of rotorcraft to the theatre by ship.
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Normally, all the fuel aboard a tanker aircraft may be either offloaded, or burned by the tanker as necessary. To make this possible, the KC-135 fuel system incorporated gravity draining and pumps to allow moving fuel from tank to tank depending on mission needs. Mixing JP-7 with JP-4 or Jet A,
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because of its unforgiving nature. Soft drogues can be contacted slightly off center, wherein the probe is guided into the hose receptacle by the canvas drogue. The metal drogue, when contacted even slightly off center, will pivot out of place, potentially "slapping" the aircraft's fuselage and
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The optimal approach is from behind and below (not level with) the drogue. Because the drogue is relatively light (typically soft canvas webbing) and subject to aerodynamic forces, it can be pushed around by the bow wave of approaching aircraft, exacerbating engagement even in smooth air. After
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The other major difference with this system is that when contacted, the hose does not "retract" into an HDU. Instead, the hose bends depending on how far it is pushed toward the boom. If it is pushed too far, it can loop around the probe or nose of the aircraft, damage the windscreen, or cause
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Some of the earliest experiments in aerial refueling took place in the 1920s; two slow-flying aircraft flew in formation, with a hose run down from a hand-held fuel tank on one aircraft and placed into the usual fuel filler of the other. The first mid-air refueling, based on the development of
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is maintained by carrying less fuel and topping up once airborne. Aerial refueling has also been considered as a means to reduce fuel consumption on long-distance flights greater than 3,000 nautical miles (5,600 km; 3,500 mi). Potential fuel savings in the range of 35–40% have been
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The first use of aerial refueling in combat took place during the Korean War, involving F-84 fighter-bombers flying missions from
Japanese airfields, due to Chinese-North Korean forces overrunning many of the bases for jet aircraft in South Korea, refueling from converted B-29s using the
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and remained airborne for 12 hours and 3 minutes, receiving 2,352 imperial gallons (10,690 L) of fuel in ten refuelings from a Lancaster tanker. Hornidge flew an overall distance of 3,600 mi (5,800 km), achieving a new jet endurance record. FRL still exists as part of
1936:. Large Navy strike groups from the Red Sea would send A-6 tankers to the Prune and Raisin tracks ahead of the strike aircraft arriving to top off and take up station to the right of the Air Force tankers thereby providing an additional tanking point. RAF Handley Page Victor and
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air-to-air refueling system and today is one of the two systems chosen by air forces for air-to-air refueling, the other being the flying-boom system. In post-war trials the RAF used a modified Lancaster tanker employing the much improved probe-and-drogue system, with a modified
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The probe-and-drogue system is not compatible with flying boom equipment, creating a problem for military planners where mixed forces are involved. Incompatibility can also complicate the procurement of new systems. The Royal Canadian Air Force currently wish to purchase the
1126:, which is a rigid, protruding or pivoted retractable arm placed on the aircraft's nose or fuselage to make the connection. Most modern versions of the probe are usually designed to be retractable, and are retracted when not in use, particularly on high-speed aircraft.
1990:, an attempt to bomb the Ras Tanura oil facility in Saudi Arabia. On their way to the target, the Iraqi attack aircraft were refueled by tanker at an altitude of 100 meters. The attack ultimately failed, with two aircraft turning back and the remaining two shot down.
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he developed and patented his 'crossover' system in 1934, in which the tanker trailed a large hooked line that would reel in a similar dropped line from the receiver, allowing the refueling to commence. In 1935, Cobham sold off the airline Cobham Air Routes Ltd to
1767:, the Iranian Air Force maintained at least one KC 707-3J9C aerial tanker, which the Islamic Republic had inherited from the Shah's government. This was used most effectively on 4 April 1981, refueling eight IRIAF F-4 Phantoms on long-range sorties into Iraq to
1712:, aerial refueling made it possible for battle-damaged fighters, with heavily leaking fuel tanks, to hook up to the tankers and let the tanker feed its engine(s) until the point where they could glide to the base and land. This saved numerous aircraft.
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At the end of the probe is a valve that is closed until it mates with the drogue's forward internal receptacle, after which it opens and allows fuel to pass from tanker to receiver. The valves in the probe and drogue that are most commonly used are to a
1932:, informally known as "Frisbee", and refueled coalition aircraft whenever necessary. Two side by side tracks over central Saudi Arabia called "Prune" and "Raisin" featured 2–4 basket equipped KC-135 tankers each and were used by Navy aircraft from the
1000:, allowing the boom to move with the receiver aircraft. The boom contains a rigid pipe to transfer fuel. The fuel pipe ends in a nozzle with a flexible ball joint. The nozzle mates to the "receptacle" in the receiver aircraft during fuel transfer. A
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that contains a hose and drogue system (HDU). Buddy stores allow fighter / bomber aircraft to be reconfigured for "buddy tanking" other aircraft. This allows an air combat force without dedicated/specialized tanker support (for instance, a
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While in contact, the receiver pilot must continue to fly within the "air refueling envelope", the area in which contact with the boom is safe. Moving outside of this envelope can damage the boom or lead to mid-air collision, for example the
1549:, which included changes to the fuel system and operating procedures preventing inadvertent inflight mixing of fuel intended for offload with fuel intended for use by the tanker. SR-71 aircraft were refueled exclusively by KC-135Q tankers.
389:. An endurance record was set by three DH-4Bs (a receiver and two tankers) on 27–28 August 1923, in which the receiver airplane remained aloft for more than 37 hours using nine mid-air refueling to transfer 687 US gallons (2,600 L) of
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aerial refueling tankers. Tankers can be equipped with multipoint hose-and-drogue systems, allowing them to refuel two (or more) aircraft simultaneously, reducing time spent refueling by as much as 75% for a four-aircraft strike package.
1786:, used to refuel and extend the range of fighter bombers such as the F-15I and F-16I for deterrent and strike missions, they are nearing 60 years old and Israel does not disclose the number of tankers in their fleet. In 1985, Israeli
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When the desired amount of fuel has been transferred, the two aircraft disconnect and the receiver aircraft departs the formation. When not in use, the boom is stored flush with the bottom of the tanker's fuselage to minimize drag.
1735:. This gave them fuel for more attempts at landing for a successful "trap" on an aircraft carrier. The KA-3 could also refuel fighters on extended Combat Air Patrol. USMC jets based in South Vietnam and Thailand also used USMC
1915:
During the time of Operation Desert Shield, the military buildup to the Persian Gulf War, US Air Force Boeing KC-135s & McDonnell Douglas KC-10As, and USMC KC-130 Hercules aircraft were deployed to forward air bases in
1191:-based aircraft to take-off with a heavier than usual load less fuel than might be necessary for its tasking. The aircraft would then topped-up with fuel from an HDU-equipped "buddy" tanker, a method previously used by the
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emergency fuel. These 24-hour air-refueling zones enabled the intense air campaign during Desert Storm. An additional 24/7 tanker presence was maintained over the Red Sea itself to refuel Navy F-14 Tomcats maintaining
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lack of air refueling capability prevented them from achieving better results. The Mirages were unable to reach the islands with a strike payload, and the Daggers could do so only for a five-minute strike flight.
439:
As the 1920s progressed, greater numbers of aviation enthusiasts vied to set new aerial long-distance records, using inflight air refueling. One such enthusiast, who would revolutionize aerial refueling was Sir
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climate of the late 1940s, the ability for bombers to perform increasingly long distance missions would enable targets to be struck even from air bases on a different continent. Thus, it became commonplace for
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air-to-air refueling system borrowed from techniques patented by David Nicolson and John Lord, and was publicly demonstrated for the first time in 1935. In the system the receiver aircraft, at one time an
1975:(ALCMs) with the surprise use of conventional warheads. This attack, which successfully destroyed 85–95 percent of intended targets, would have been impossible without the support of refueling tankers.
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Even as the first practical methods for aerial refueling were being developed, military planners had already envisioned what missions could be greatly enhanced by using such techniques. In the emerging
519:
The US was mainly concerned about transatlantic flights for faster postal service between Europe and America. In 1931 W. Irving Glover, the second assistant postmaster, wrote an extensive article for
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while the receiver aircraft flies the probe into the basket. Unlike the soft canvas basket used in most drogue systems, the adapter units use a steel basket, grimly known as the "iron maiden" by
809:, and was so successful that in June orders went out to equip all new B-50s and subsequent bombers with receiving equipment. Two dedicated air refueling units were formed on 30 June 1948: the
632:
When Cobham was developing his system, he saw the need as purely for long-range transoceanic commercial aircraft flights, but modern aerial refueling is used exclusively by military aircraft.
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790:, made aerial refueling a top priority of the service. In March 1948, the USAF purchased two sets of FRL's looped-hose in-flight refueling equipment, which had been in practical use with
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staging post in the Atlantic and further deployments south of bomber, transport and maritime patrol aircraft. The most famous refueling missions were the 8,000 nmi (15,000 km) "
1060:. If the receiving aircraft approaches the outer limits of the envelope, the boom operator will command the receiver pilot to correct their position and disconnect the boom if necessary.
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near the Jordanian border, destroying 27–50 Iraqi fighter jets and bombers. However, the Iranian Air Force was forced to cancel its 180-day air offensive and attempts to control Iranian
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strategic reconnaissance aircraft made frequent use of air-to-air refueling. Indeed, design considerations of the aircraft made its mission impossible without aerial refueling. Based at
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in the UK and deployed in the late 1940s and 1950s. This standardization enables drogue-equipped tanker aircraft from many nations to refuel probe-equipped aircraft from other nations.
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1631:, during which 24,325 miles (21,145 nmi, 39,165 km) was covered in 45 hours 19 minutes (536.8 smph) with multiple in-flight refuelings being performed from KC-97s.
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587:. Atcherly's system was bought up by Cobham's company, and with some refinement and continuous improvement through the late '30s, it became the first practical refueling system.
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that Cobham used for his early experiments with in-flight refueling. This craft was eventually modified by Airspeed to Cobham's specification, for a non-stop flight from
306:/physical needs and engineering factors such as engine oil consumption. Because the receiver aircraft is topped-off with extra fuel in the air, air refueling can allow a
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1895:. With all the aircraft flying from Ascension, the tankers themselves needed refueling. The raids were the longest-range bombing raids in history until surpassed by the
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977:) with a Boeing-developed flying boom and extra kerosene (jet fuel) tanks feeding the boom. The Stratocruiser airliner itself was developed from the B-29 bomber after
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concerning the challenges and the need for such a regular service. In his article he even mentioned the use of aerial refueling after takeoff as a possible solution.
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1513:, supplies, and personnel to Vietnam without landing to refuel. KC-135s were also frequently used for refueling of air combat missions from air bases in Thailand.
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2016:
a Las Vegas area hotel ended when the aircraft's performance had degraded to the point where the Cessna had difficulty climbing away from the refueling vehicle.
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aircraft have equipment specially designed for the task of offloading fuel to the receiver aircraft, based on drogue and probe, even at the higher speeds modern
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1933:
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tankers of the 43d ARS. Before the mission, crews of the 43rd had experienced only a single operational air refueling contact. The flight started and ended at
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during the approach to the tanker. It was no surprise that, after the KC-97, Boeing began receiving contracts from the USAF to build jet tankers based on the
739:
Cobham's company FRL soon realized that their looped-hose system left much to be desired and began work on an improved system that is now commonly called the
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in the end of the nozzle prevents fuel from exiting the tube until the nozzle properly mates with the receiver's refueling receptacle. Once properly mated,
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tracks. During the conflict's final week, KC-10s moved inside Iraq to support barrier CAP missions set up to block Iraqi fighters from escaping to Iran.
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also used a hose-and-drogue system, dubbed UPAZ, and thus later Russian aircraft may be equipped with probe and drogue. The Chinese PLAF has a fleet of
794:(BOAC) since 1946, and manufacturing rights to the system. FRL also provided a year of technical assistance. The sets were immediately installed in two
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company and Metrea Strategic Mobility are contracted by the US Navy. In June 2023, Metrea completed the first commercial refueling of the US Air Force.
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over Los Angeles. Between 11 June and 4 July 1930, the brothers John, Kenneth, Albert, and Walter Hunter set a new record of 553 hours 40 minutes over
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to carry more bombs and rockets. Tankers were also available for refueling on the way back if necessary. In addition to ferrying aircraft across the
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On 16–17 January 1991, the first combat sortie of Operation Desert Storm, and the longest combat sortie in history at that time, was launched from
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fighters, also Vulcan and Victor bombers. For instance, in 1962 a squadron of Javelin air defense aircraft was refueled in stages from the UK to
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and 38 US gallons (140 L) of engine oil. The same crews demonstrated the utility of the technique on 25 October 1923, when a DH-4 flew from
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151:
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1859:) one of the KC-130s went to rescue a damaged A-4 and delivered 39,000 lb (18,000 kg) of fuel while carrying it to its airfield at
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Iraqi Perspectives Project Phase II Um Al-Ma'arik (The Mother of All Battles): Operational and Strategic Insights from an Iraqi Perspective
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A byproduct of this development effort and the building of large numbers of tankers was that these tankers were also available to refuel
833:. The first ARS aircraft used FRL's looped-hose refueling system, but testing with a boom system followed quickly in the autumn of 1948.
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in the same year, but these early experiments were not yet regarded as a practical proposition, and were generally dismissed as stunts.
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1501:, when many aircraft could not have covered the transoceanic distances without aerial refueling, even with intermediate bases such as
1079:
6,500 pounds (2,900 kg) per minute for the KC-135, but does require a boom operator, and can only refuel one aircraft at a time.
699:
flew non-stop around the world in 94 hours and 1 minute, a feat made possible by four aerial refuelings from four pairs of
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were fitted with aerial refueling probes and additional fuel tanks to counter the decreased range from the shift in flight profile.
4994:
3282:
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749:
1035:
the boom to make contact with the receiver aircraft. Once in contact, fuel is pumped through the boom into the receiver aircraft.
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3184:
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1879:
K.2 and, after the Argentine surrender, by modified C-130 Hercules tankers. These aircraft aided deployments from the UK to the
4130:
4908:
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4821:
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4740:
4725:
4707:
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3042:
2219:
1731:. This was particularly useful when a pilot returning from an airstrike was having difficulty landing and was running low on
1545:
however, rendered it unsuitable for use by the SR-71, so the Air Force commissioned a specially modified KC-135 variant, the
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3400:
3541:
2003:
manner to fixed-wing aircraft by matching a high forward speed for a helicopter to a slow speed for the fixed-wing tanker.
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1375:
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791:
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of the 43rd Bomb Wing to make its famous first non-stop around-the-world flight in 1949. From 26 February to 3 March 1949,
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3664:
3600:, "Aerial Refueling: The Need for a Multipoint, Dual-System Capability," AU-ARI-CP-87-3, Air University Press, July 1987.
1782:
has a fleet of Boeing 707s equipped with a boom refueling system similar to the KC-135, this system has the Israeli name
1246:
1031:
using a control stick. The boom operator also telescopes the boom to make the connection with the receiver's receptacle.
4353:
4000:
928:
on the tanker aircraft extends and inserts into a receptacle on the receiving aircraft. All boom-equipped tankers (e.g.
323:
the aircraft to be refueled (very close "line astern" formation flying) has resulted in the activity only being used in
5089:
2396:
546:
was also running mid-air refueling trials, with the aim to use this technique to extend the range of the long-distance
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4077:
3940:
452:, and a pioneer of long-distance aviation. During the 1920s, he made long-distance flights to places as far afield as
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203:
185:
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100:
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51:
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93:
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4405:
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1609:
During the late 1950s, aerial refueling had become so prevalent amongst the bombers operated by the US Air Force's
913:
1509:, Okinawa. In addition to allowing the transport of the aircraft themselves, the cargo aircraft could also carry
1382:. The potential cost of converting F-35As to probe-and-drogue refueling (as is used on US Navy & Marine Corps
1253:
aircraft refuel using the "hose-and-drogue" system, as do most aircraft flown by western European militaries. The
2684:
2026:
1150:
802:
728:
608:
being refueled by grappled-line looped-hose during the first non-stop circumnavigation of the world by air (1949)
398:
3483:"50 Years of Probe and Drogue Flight Refuelling cover signed Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Knight KCB AFC FRAES"
5038:
4337:
2772:
1478:
1222:
872:
386:
4810:
3148:
1577:
1155:
837:
drogue-and-probe in-flight refueling system with the probe located in one of the F-84's wing-tip fuel tanks.
311:
17:
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2462:
1929:
1855:
were in patrol) to search and guide the A-4s in their returning flights. On one of those flights (callsign
1415:
814:
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483:
421:
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1606:
to be equipped with aerial refueling apparatus and for it to be used to facilitate long distance patrols.
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3620:
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3247:
1497:, in addition to bombers, for ferrying to distant theaters of operations. This was much used during the
1103:
The probe-and-drogue refueling method employs a flexible hose that trails from the tanker aircraft. The
460:
and he began experimenting with the possibilities of in-flight refueling to extend the range of flight.
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4274:
2862:
2131:
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bomber (with a flying reserve bomber) to attack the Argentine-captured airfield at Port Stanley on the
1647:
1618:
1462:
1450:
1446:
1419:
1332:
have similar under-wing refueling pods (referred to as Wing Air Refueling Pods or WARPs on the KC-10).
1321:
1215:
990:
810:
656:
558:, with fuel flow controlled by an automatic valve on the hose which would cut off if contact was lost.
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as refueler and receiver. Aerial refueling remained a very dangerous process until 1935, when brothers
221:
4439:
1680:
1304:
5319:
5209:
2528:
1057:
795:
652:
600:
4733:
Air Force Gunners (AFGA): The Men Behind the Guns, The History of Enlisted Aerial Gunnery, 1917–1991
1390:) added to the early-2010s political controversy which surrounded F-35 procurement within the RCAF.
1187:) to extend the range of its strike aircraft. In other cases, using the buddy store method allows a
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2566:
2175:
1968:
1362:
1048:
491:
375:
292:
167:
87:
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3966:
2056:
1948:
1814:, that necessitated a 2,000 km flight. As of 2021 Israel has ordered four of a planned eight
327:; there are no regular civilian in-flight refueling activities. Originally trialed shortly before
279:) to another (the receiver) while both aircraft are in flight. The two main refueling systems are
5250:
5177:
5058:
4108:
3538:
A1-F18AC-NFM-000 Naval Aviation Training and Operating Procedures Standardization (NATOPS) Manual
3207:
2997:
2941:
2917:
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2040:
1700:
to refuel from KC-135s en route to their target. Besides extending their range, this enabled the
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1012:
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276:
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1200:
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315:
104:
4227:
3423:
3099:
1831:, aerial refueling played a vital role in all of the successful Argentine attacks against the
531:
298:
The procedure allows the receiving aircraft to remain airborne longer, extending its range or
5262:
5240:
5167:
5137:
3644:
3309:
2816:
2290:
1839:
had only two KC-130H Hercules available and they were used to refuel both Air Force and Navy
1627:
1610:
1502:
1453:
against the bombers' airfields could not obliterate the US's ability to retaliate by bomber.
966:
953:
826:
636:
626:
584:
163:
57:
5182:
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4956:
2971:"Operations and aircraft design towards greener civil aviation using air-to-air refuelling"
2889:
2827:
2765:
2632:
2374:
2308:
1987:
1884:
1815:
1799:
1614:
1407:
1196:
1023:
configuration, are used to move the boom by creating aerodynamic forces. They are actuated
974:
676:
509:
332:
299:
225:
1860:
1067:
In the KC-97 and KC-135 the boom operator lies prone, while the operator is seated in the
429:
159:
8:
5053:
3272:
Note – on one flight there was a high westerly wind and no need for aerial refueling
3248:"flight march – receiver aircraft – advertisements flight – 1947 – 0392 – Flight Archive"
2937:
2241:
2153:
2109:
1876:
1836:
1640:
1435:
1312:
Some tankers have both a boom and one or more complete hose-and-drogue systems. The USAF
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929:
760:
216:
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2901:
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2610:
2539:
2263:
2087:
2012:
1651:
1159:
962:
687:
527:
487:
445:
3180:
3072:
1998:
Helicopter in-flight refueling (HIFR) is a variation of aerial refueling when a naval
1552:
1087:
538:
were able to demonstrate passing fuel between machines at the annual aviation fete at
319:
estimated for long-haul flights (including the fuel used during the tanker missions).
5187:
5154:
5043:
5018:
4904:
4883:
4869:
4858:
4843:
4817:
4799:
4784:
4772:
4754:
4736:
4721:
4703:
4463:"Private Aerial Refueling Tanker Has Gassed Up An Air Force Plane For The First Time"
4333:
4234:
4131:"Israel's First Strike on Iran's Nuclear Facilities – Part 1 - Defense Media Network"
4026:
3038:
3026:
2993:
2822:
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2418:
2197:
1942:
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1438:
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seats two operators at the front of the aircraft viewing camera video on 3D screens.
772:
708:
664:
567:
501:
394:
390:
324:
3609:
note – even today there is much confusion about how this system actually worked
3047:
Cultures and Caricatures of British imperial Aviation: Passengers, Pilots, Publicity
679:
tanker aircraft, fitted with the FRL's looped-hose units, in operations against the
5284:
5279:
5255:
5245:
5172:
5142:
5132:
5066:
3508:
3058:
There is no evidence of a relationship between A.D. Hunter and the Hunter brothers.
2981:
2906:
2506:
2352:
2330:
2301:
2285:
1971:. Seven B-52Gs flew a thirty-five-hour mission to the region and back to launch 35
1956:
1953:
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1880:
1603:
1490:
1329:
1317:
1283:
1188:
1184:
1005:
622:
555:
535:
468:
339:
236:
1746:
helicopters performed the first Trans-Pacific flight by a helicopter, flying from
996:
The flying boom is attached to the rear of the tanker aircraft. The attachment is
908:
625:, trailed a steel cable which was then grappled by a line shot from the tanker, a
5095:
5048:
4981:
4898:
4873:
4783:
Gunston, Bill. Bombers of the West. New York: Charles Scribner's and Sons; 1973.
4747:
4714:
4697:
4300:
4284:. Barksdale Air Force Base, United States Air Force. Retrieved 19 September 2011.
4281:
4207:
3234:
2794:
1983:
1960:
1736:
1622:
1517:
1506:
1458:
1163:
574:
events in the US and determined to create a workable system. While posted to the
561:
505:
402:
303:
244:
4855:
RAF Strategic Nuclear Deterrent Forces: Origins, Roles and Deployment 1946–1969.
940:) have a single boom and can refuel one aircraft at a time with this mechanism.
467:, an aircraft manufacturing company that went on to produce a specially-adapted
5224:
5219:
5192:
4767:
2787:
2304:
1844:
1728:
1716:
1621:'s global reach, performed between 16 and 18 January 1957, three B-52Bs made a
1600:
1486:
1431:
1262:
933:
745:
668:
551:
410:
363:
338:, and then employed after World War II on a large scale to extend the range of
4104:
2985:
2296:
755:, fitted with a nose-mounted probe. On 7 August 1949, the Meteor flown by FRL
420:
Similar trial demonstrations of mid-air refueling technique took place at the
5308:
5197:
5127:
4776:
3992:
2850:
1851:
strikes. The Hercules on several occasions approached the islands (where the
1828:
1768:
1709:
1697:
1316:
has both a flying boom and a separate hose-and-drogue system manufactured by
1288:
1008:
in the receptacle engage the nozzle, holding it locked during fuel transfer.
986:
937:
691:
660:
crossings further trials were suspended due to the outbreak of World War II.
604:
513:
464:
369:
and Lt. John P. Richter receiving the first mid-air refueling on 27 June 1923
272:
4875:
Chinese Military Modernization: Force Development and Strategic Capabilities
965:. Boeing went on to develop the world's first production aerial tanker, the
5122:
5117:
4940:
4900:
Rise and Kill First: The Secret History of Israel's Targeted Assassinations
3944:
2809:
1937:
1925:
1921:
1724:
1560:
1442:
1427:
1254:
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1001:
978:
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776:
716:
700:
672:
644:
571:
547:
366:
328:
4196:
3563:
1038:
583:
and turned to the development of inflight refueling, founding the company
5267:
5214:
3237:
close-up drawing of receiver pawl grapnel and tanker haul line projectile
2835:
2581:
2477:
1972:
1928:. Aircraft stationed in Saudi Arabia normally maintained an orbit in the
1896:
1888:
1852:
1840:
1720:
1705:
1689:
1635:
1537:
1498:
1231:
1171:
1167:
1116:
982:
613:
575:
490:, set an endurance record of over 150 hours with a Fokker C-2A named the
449:
441:
379:
343:
335:
4409:
3694:
3621:"Air Force Aerial Refueling Methods: Flying Boom versus Hose-and-Drogue"
3340:"flight – lucky lady – flight refuelling – 1949 – 0461 – Flight Archive"
1546:
1510:
1178:
A "buddy store" or "buddy pod" is an external pod loaded on an aircraft
4961:
article on the development of Flight Refuelling Ltd's refueling method.
1999:
1904:
1868:
1864:
1832:
1791:
1525:
1192:
1135:
1024:
970:
875: in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
830:
765:
756:
712:
4160:"US rejects Israeli request for tanker aircraft as Iran plans advance"
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2677:
2367:
2124:
2102:
1747:
1521:
1179:
663:
During the closing months of World War II, it had been intended that
539:
457:
406:
302:
time. A series of air refuelings can give range limited only by crew
29:
Procedure in which flying aircraft receive fuel from another aircraft
850:
4354:"The Plane that Flew for 62 Days and the T-Bird that Saved the Day"
2625:
2603:
2521:
2234:
1900:
1772:
1732:
1693:
1595:
1473:
1441:
airborne around-the-clock either to threaten retaliation against a
1423:
1258:
1016:
479:, using in-flight refueling to extend the plane's flight duration.
4753:
Vale of Glamorgan Wales, UK: Big Bird Aviation Publication, 2007.
4670:"Portuguese Air Force's first KC-390 aircraft arrives in Portugal"
4330:
Ally to Adversary: An Eyewitness Account of Iraq's Fall From Grace
1715:
The US Navy frequently used carrier-based aerial tankers like the
359:
5105:
5033:
4765:
Gardner, Brian (1984). "Flight Refuelling... The Wartime Story".
2559:
2323:
2080:
2025:
Commercial tankers are occasionally used by military forces. The
1917:
1811:
1207:; in the Buccaneer's case using a bomb-bay-mounted tank and HDU.
818:
570:
had observed the dangerous aerial-refueling techniques in use at
564:
497:
425:
382:
307:
1470:
could refuel the more maneuverable fighter/ground attack types.
1278:
A US Air Force KC-135 with a drogue adapter attached to its boom
1261:
bombers modified for aerial refueling, and plans to add Russian
5112:
3578:
2743:
2721:
2647:
2499:
2411:
2278:
2168:
2146:
1848:
1751:
1379:
1358:
1045:
1020:
997:
957:
724:
472:
453:
433:
4317:(First ed.). Institute for Defense Analysis. p. 199.
3877:
3863:"La dissuasion nucléaire française en posture méditerranéenne"
1426:
requirement of the United States to be able to keep fleets of
1378:, which can only refuel via the flying boom, but only possess
346:
has been extensively used in large-scale military operations.
291:, which offers faster fuel transfer, but requires a dedicated
4969:
4796:
Jet Bombers: From the Messerschmitt Me 262 to the Stealth B-2
4702:
Santa Barbara, California: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2004.
3727:"The B-58 Hustler: America's Cold War Nuclear Bomber Blunder"
2699:
2455:
2433:
2345:
2256:
2212:
2190:
1807:
1701:
1656:
1466:
1345:
1313:
1072:
1068:
680:
512:. They exceeded the Hunters' record by nearly 100 hours in a
476:
5016:
1672:
enabled them to photograph valuable targets in North Korea.
4974:
4829:"The Steel in the Blue: Last Week's Glimpse of the V-force"
4431:
3820:
3818:
2389:
2065:
2044:
2036:
1787:
1533:
1341:
1131:
1071:, all viewing operations through a window at the tail. The
1042:
806:
720:
378:, between two planes occurred on 25 June 1923, between two
331:
on a limited scale to extend the range of British civilian
4608:"Egypt demonstrates aerial refuelling for combat aircraft"
4251:"Narrative of RAF Contribution to the Falklands Campaign."
1875:
On the British side, air refueling was carried out by the
920:
The flying boom is a rigid, telescoping tube with movable
4573:
4571:
4569:
4567:
4565:
4563:
4561:
4559:
4557:
4555:
4553:
4551:
4549:
4547:
4545:
4543:
4541:
4539:
4537:
4535:
4533:
4531:
4529:
3535:
285:, which is simpler to adapt to existing aircraft and the
4527:
4525:
4523:
4521:
4519:
4517:
4515:
4513:
4511:
4509:
4045:"Lessons of Modern Warfare: The Iran Iraq War Chapter V"
3836:
3815:
3665:"Canadian military unable to refuel new jets in mid-air"
2657:
Tu-95М filling rod and filling cone from Il-78M aircraft
508:
demonstrated a spill-free refueling nozzle, designed by
4945:
4197:"The Falkland Islands: A history of the 1982 conflict."
1324:
are equipped with dual under-wing attachments known as
4294:
Boeing B-52 evolves again with guided weapons launcher
4178:
1646:
During the mid-1950s, to deliver France's independent
1134:
standard and were originally developed by the company
554:. By 1931 they had demonstrated refueling between two
4816:
Washington, D.C.: Office of Air Force History, 1988.
4506:
3917:. United States Air Mobility Command. 15 April 2009.
1692:, it was common for USAF fighter-bombers flying from
782:
In January 1948, General Carl Spaatz, then the first
3619:
Christopher, Bolkcom; D., Klaus, Jon (11 May 2005).
3035:
Air Empire: British Imperial Civil Aviation, 1919–39
1719:
to refuel Navy and Marine aircraft such as the F-4,
1410:
receives fuel from a KC-135 during night operations.
4699:
Encyclopedia of Military Technology And Innovation.
3915:"History of aerial refueling: Fueling the fighters"
3421:
3397:"Cobham 75 :: Air-to-Air Refuelling Takes off"
3307:
3205:
1887:" sorties which used 14 Victor tankers to allow an
4578:
4735:. Nashville, Tennessee: Turner Publishing, 1994.
4639:"Indonesia seeks new heavy air refuelling tanker"
4102:
3967:"S-65/H-53A/D Sea Stallion/ H-53E Super Stallion"
3283:"imperial airways – 1940 – 1219 – Flight Archive"
3137:Flight Magazine archive, 3 July 1931, p. 623
1739:transports for air-to-air refueling on missions.
1457:refueling aircraft from Valiant tankers included
686:This air-to-air refueling system was used by the
675:bombers would be in-flight refueled by converted
314:which could be weapons, cargo, or personnel: the
5306:
4868:
3584:
3377:Hallex, Steve. "Around the World in 94 Hours*".
3097:
3037:(Manchester University Press, 2009), Chapter 6.
1899:flying from the States to bomb Iraq in the 1991
516:monoplane, staying aloft for more than 27 days.
4069:
3959:
3049:(Manchester University Press, 2012), Chapter 4.
2035:using probe/drogue systems was investigated by
2006:
1563:takes on fuel through a Probe-and-drogue system
4903:. Random House Publishing Group. p. 306.
3898:
3720:
3718:
3716:
3612:
1794:aircraft to provide aerial refueling over the
5002:
3618:
3531:
3529:
148:The examples and perspective in this article
4154:
4152:
3786:
3784:
3649:: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (
3146:
1269:
1091:Using a probe-and-drogue, a Royal Air Force
590:
463:Cobham was one of the founding directors of
3754:
3713:
3536:Naval Air Systems Command (1 August 2006).
66:Learn how and when to remove these messages
5009:
4995:
4636:
4460:
3845:
3827:
3793:
3526:
3149:"Seventy Five Years of Inflight Refueling"
3084:
3082:
2914:, the transfer of refuel and stores at sea
1655:purchased 14 (12 plus 2 spares) US Boeing
1650:, work commenced on what would become the
734:
643:system to refuel aircraft as large as the
4190:
4149:
3781:
3687:
2940:(i.e. debriefing); "IFR" also stands for
1802:, an air raid on the headquarters of the
1775:due to unsustainable rates of attrition.
1684:HC-130P refuels HH-3E over Southeast Asia
891:Learn how and when to remove this message
204:Learn how and when to remove this message
186:Learn how and when to remove this message
123:Learn how and when to remove this message
4605:
4327:
4321:
4259:
3904:Gunston and Gilchrist 1993, pp. 196–197.
3128:Flight Magazine archive, 10 January 1929
2821:
2652:
2533:
2295:
2055:
1947:
1679:
1551:
1472:
1401:
1303:
1273:
1209:
1149:
1086:
1037:
907:
594:
358:
215:
86:This article includes a list of general
4896:
4764:
4184:
3941:"First USAF Flight Refueling in Combat"
3079:
2980:. Paper No. 3088. (November): 705–721.
1368:
989:(Dash-80) airframe. The result was the
14:
5307:
4965:World's best aerial refueling aircraft
4667:
4637:McLaughlin, Andrew (22 January 2018).
4332:. Naval Institute Press. p. 106.
4057:from the original on 11 September 2009
4036:
3724:
2968:
1583:
1099:tanker over the Falkland Islands, 2005
1011:The "flying" boom is so named because
711:with the refuelings accomplished over
534:and the 34th Aviation Regiment of the
349:
4990:
4952:Twenty-one Years of Flight Refuelling
4937:, a comprehensive article with video.
4857:London: The Stationery Office, 1997.
4840:V Bombers: Vulcan, Valiant and Victor
4835:, 13 February 1964, pp. 241–245.
4720:Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing, 2009.
4618:from the original on 6 September 2020
4587:from the original on 10 December 2019
4494:from the original on 23 February 2012
4360:from the original on 20 November 2016
4312:
4306:
4166:from the original on 13 December 2021
4137:from the original on 20 November 2016
4103:Israeli Air Force (10 October 2013).
4042:
3069:"National Air and Space Museum image"
1234:in the hose, severing the probe tip.
1095:crew practice refuelling from an RAF
281:
4946:Air Refueling Systems Advisory Group
4812:Post-World War II Bombers, 1945–1973
4442:from the original on 31 January 2023
4111:from the original on 7 November 2021
4003:from the original on 11 October 2017
3860:
3430:. Bonnier Corporation. p. 131.
3422:Bonnier Corporation (October 1949).
3228:, Flight Magazine, November 22, 1945
3206:Bonnier Corporation (January 1947).
873:adding citations to reliable sources
844:
801:Flight testing began in May 1948 at
792:British Overseas Airways Corporation
354:
134:
72:
31:
4794:Gunston, Bill and Peter Gilchrist.
4771:. No. 25. pp. 34–43, 80.
4461:Trevithick, Joseph (12 July 2023).
4303:– Flightglobal.com, 15 January 2016
4275:"Factsheets: 2nd Bomb Wing History"
4230:RAR Illustrated: Avro Vulcan Part 1
4084:from the original on 6 October 2014
3921:from the original on 5 October 2017
3851:Gunston and Gilchrist 1993, p. 200.
3833:Gunston and Gilchrist 1993, p. 196.
3367:, Flight magazine, 1 September 1949
3346:from the original on 21 August 2016
3316:. Bonnier Corporation. p. 79.
3308:Bonnier Corporation (August 1948).
3289:from the original on 5 October 2013
3161:from the original on 24 August 2017
1973:Boeing Air Launched Cruise Missiles
1798:in order to extend their range for
1742:During late August 1970, a pair of
1351:
1299:
1082:
779:typically need to remain airborne.
24:
5090:Airborne early warning and control
4897:Bergman, Ronen (30 January 2018).
4668:Sharma, Soumya (17 October 2022).
4606:Jennings, Greg (14 January 2020).
4075:
3973:from the original on 23 March 2022
3733:from the original on 23 April 2021
3701:from the original on 17 March 2010
3434:from the original on 13 March 2023
3376:
3320:from the original on 13 March 2023
3187:from the original on 24 March 2017
3110:from the original on 13 March 2023
3098:Hearst Magazines (February 1931).
3088:History of Aviation, Part 19, 1938
2397:Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force
2307:provides mid-air refueling to two
2220:People's Liberation Army Air Force
1394:MPRS KC-135, or Airbus A330 MRTT.
1361:. This was the method used on the
92:it lacks sufficient corresponding
25:
5331:
4918:
4713:Brookes, Andrew and Chris Davey.
4649:from the original on 3 April 2018
4386:from the original on 5 April 2016
3675:from the original on 14 June 2015
3489:from the original on 4 March 2016
3254:from the original on 2 April 2015
3214:. Bonnier Corporation. p. 2.
3106:. Hearst Magazines. p. 190.
1804:Palestine Liberation Organization
271:, is the process of transferring
47:This article has multiple issues.
4838:Windle, Dave and Martin Bowman.
3631:from the original on 11 May 2009
3464:from the original on 8 July 2017
2875:
2843:
2802:
2780:
2758:
2736:
2714:
2692:
2670:
2640:
2618:
2596:
2574:
2552:
2514:
2492:
2470:
2448:
2426:
2404:
2382:
2360:
2338:
2316:
2271:
2249:
2227:
2205:
2183:
2161:
2139:
2117:
2095:
2073:
2033:Autonomous (hands off) refueling
1822:
849:
798:, with plans to equip 80 B-29s.
287:
139:
77:
36:
4690:
4661:
4630:
4599:
4480:
4454:
4424:
4398:
4372:
4346:
4287:
4268:
4244:
4221:
4212:
4123:
4096:
4015:
3985:
3933:
3907:
3854:
3806:
3772:
3763:
3745:
3725:Farley, Robert (10 June 2016).
3657:
3603:
3590:
3548:
3501:
3475:
3446:
3424:"Jet Refuels Like Humming Bird"
3415:
3389:
3370:
3358:
3332:
3301:
3275:
3266:
3240:
3218:
3199:
3173:
3140:
2685:Republic of Singapore Air Force
2027:Omega Aerial Refueling Services
2019:
1335:
1328:(MPRSs), while some KC-10s and
860:needs additional citations for
803:Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
639:(FRL) and by 1938 had used its
482:Meanwhile, in 1929, a group of
55:or discuss these issues on the
4583:. Flightglobal Insight. 2020.
4233:, Big Bird Publications 2007,
3812:Windle and Bowman 2009, p. 21.
3790:Brookes and Davey 2009, p. 49.
3310:"What Can Our Bombers Do Now?"
3181:"Mid-air refuelling in Gander"
3131:
3122:
3091:
3061:
3052:
3015:
2962:
2930:
2773:United Arab Emirates Air Force
2546:undergoing inflight refueling.
1993:
1769:bomb the H-3 Al Walid airfield
1758:
1675:
1145:
903:
409:, using mid-air refuelings at
387:United States Army Air Service
13:
1:
4842:, Casemate Publishers, 2009.
4718:(Osprey Combat Aircraft: 72).
2969:Nangia, R.K (November 2006).
2951:
1963:during Exercise Angel Thunder
1666:
1162:acts as a buddy tanker for a
342:, aerial refueling since the
4716:Vulcan Units of The Cold War
4380:"Endurance Test, Circa 1958"
4025:Air Forces Monthly Special,
3585:Cordesman & Kleiber 2007
2956:
2463:Japan Air Self-Defense Force
2051:
2007:Longest crewed flight record
1397:
1326:Multi-point Refueling System
1115:, is a fitting resembling a
823:509th Air Refueling Squadron
815:Davis-Monthan Air Force Base
635:In 1934, Cobham had founded
544:Royal Aircraft Establishment
422:Royal Aircraft Establishment
7:
4975:Airlift/Tankers Association
4432:"Metrea Strategic Mobility"
4256:, Retrieved: 20 April 2014.
4078:"Bombed by Blinders Part 1"
3997:Imperial Iraniasn Air Force
3100:"Wings Across The Atlantic"
2895:
2707:Spanish Air and Space Force
2589:Royal Netherlands Air Force
2485:Republic of Korea Air Force
1910:
1588:
1567:
1420:Boeing KC-135 Stratotankers
993:, of which 732 were built.
948:In the late 1940s, General
796:Boeing B-29 Superfortresses
759:Pat Hornidge took off from
399:Canada–United States border
162:, discuss the issue on the
10:
5336:
4872:; Kleiber, Martin (2007).
4218:Darling 2007, pp. 116–117.
3695:"Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird"
2863:United States Marine Corps
2132:Royal Australian Air Force
1619:Boeing B-52 Stratofortress
1447:mutual assured destruction
1380:probe-and-drogue refuelers
1365:endurance flight in 1929.
991:Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker
943:
840:
811:43d Air Refueling Squadron
486:fliers, led by then Major
5233:
5082:
5075:
5026:
4925:Photo aerial tanking 1929
4313:Woods, Kevin (May 2008).
4280:26 September 2009 at the
3876:(1): 5–12, archived from
3803:13 February 1964, p. 241.
3454:"Meteor's 12-hour Flight"
3365:"B-50s In Great Britain"
2986:10.1017/S0001924000001585
2936:"AAR" can also stand for
2529:Royal Malaysian Air Force
2039:, potentially for use by
1634:While development of the
1340:A small number of Soviet
1270:Boom drogue adapter units
1136:Flight Refuelling Limited
1058:1966 Palomares B-52 crash
719:, the Pacific Ocean near
653:Armstrong Whitworth AW.23
618:grappled-line looped-hose
601:Boeing B-50 Superfortress
591:Grappled-line looped-hose
3969:. sikorskyarchives.com.
3729:. nationalinterest.org.
3208:"Gas Station In The Sky"
2978:The Aeronautical Journal
2923:
2567:Royal Moroccan Air Force
2176:Royal Canadian Air Force
2041:unmanned aerial vehicles
1982:On 24 January 1991, the
1969:Barksdale AFB, Louisiana
1930:Saudi–Iraqi neutral zone
1625:around the world during
1572:Tankers are considered "
376:Alexander P. de Seversky
4970:Tac Tankers Association
4941:Aerial Refueling on APA
4809:Knaack, Marcelle Size.
4580:"World Air Forces 2020"
4328:Francoma, Rick (1999).
3226:"Refuelling In Flight"
2942:Instrument Flight Rules
2918:List of tanker aircraft
2858:United States Air Force
1613:that many, such as the
1414:The development of the
1221:refuels a pair of USMC
1051:view from the boom pod.
1013:flight control surfaces
961:at the Boeing plant at
922:flight control surfaces
788:United States Air Force
735:Probe-and-drogue system
705:Carswell Air Force Base
502:Stinson SM-1 Detroiters
275:from one aircraft (the
247:), also referred to as
107:more precise citations.
4930:Aerial tanking history
4299:20 August 2019 at the
3993:"Assault on Al-Wallid"
3542:Department of the Navy
3385:(1, 1st Quarter 2016).
3233:5 October 2013 at the
3023:Highways to the Empire
2912:Underway replenishment
2838:
2658:
2547:
2311:
2068:
1964:
1790:used heavily modified
1685:
1564:
1495:ground attack aircraft
1482:
1411:
1309:
1279:
1226:
1223:CH-53E Super Stallions
1201:de Havilland Sea Vixen
1175:
1111:), sometimes called a
1100:
1052:
1027:and controlled by the
917:
609:
415:Sacramento, California
370:
316:maximum takeoff weight
229:
4870:Cordesman, Anthony H.
4749:Avro Vulcan, Part One
4406:"Omega Air Refueling"
4254:The National Archives
4206:18 March 2007 at the
3842:Gunston 1973, p. 109.
3824:Gunston 1973, p. 104.
2825:
2817:Royal Saudi Air Force
2656:
2537:
2299:
2064:KC-30 refuels a USAF
2059:
1951:
1683:
1628:Operation Power Flite
1611:Strategic Air Command
1555:
1503:Hickam Air Force Base
1476:
1405:
1307:
1277:
1213:
1153:
1090:
1041:
967:KC-97 Stratofreighter
954:Strategic Air Command
911:
827:Walker Air Force Base
637:Flight Refuelling Ltd
627:Handley Page Type W10
598:
585:Flight Refuelling Ltd
362:
219:
4980:25 June 2022 at the
4162:. 13 December 2021.
4119:– via YouTube.
4043:Cordesman, Anthony.
3760:Knaack 1988, p. 243.
3556:"Inflight Refueling"
3025:(Air Britain, 2006,
2890:Venezuelan Air Force
2766:United Arab Emirates
2633:Portuguese Air Force
2375:Indonesian Air Force
1988:Attack on Ras Tanura
1934:Red Sea Battle Force
1885:Operation Black Buck
1816:Boeing KC-46 Pegasus
1800:Operation Wooden Leg
1615:Convair B-58 Hustler
1408:C-17 Globemaster III
1369:Compatibility issues
1205:Blackburn Buccaneers
1197:Supermarine Scimitar
1156:F/A-18E Super Hornet
1019:that are often in a
975:C-97 Stratofreighter
971:Boeing Stratocruiser
869:improve this article
657:Handley Page Harrows
261:air-to-air refueling
226:F-16 Fighting Falcon
168:create a new article
160:improve this article
150:may not represent a
5160:Electronic warfare
4827:Rodwell, Robert R.
4674:Airforce Technology
3870:Les Cahiers du RMES
3751:Condor 1994, p. 42.
3671:. 31 January 2011.
2938:After Action Review
2242:Colombian Air Force
2154:Brazilian Air Force
2110:Argentine Air Force
2011:A mission modified
1877:Handley Page Victor
1837:Argentine Air Force
1641:Handley Page Victor
1584:Operational history
1536:, with a very high
1436:B-52 Stratofortress
1122:The receiver has a
969:, a piston-engined
952:, commander of the
930:KC-135 Stratotanker
771:Modern specialized
532:Aéro-Club de France
350:Development history
325:military operations
253:in-flight refueling
228:using a flying boom
222:KC-135 Stratotanker
5101:Counter-insurgency
4751:(RAF Illustrated).
4731:Condor, Albert E.
4382:. 3 January 2008.
3778:Wynn 1997, p. 155.
3769:Wynn 1997, p. 154.
3147:Richard K. Smith.
3003:on 21 October 2013
2902:Military logistics
2868:United States Navy
2839:
2659:
2611:Pakistan Air Force
2548:
2540:Saab JAS-39 Gripen
2312:
2264:Egyptian Air Force
2088:Algerian Air Force
2069:
2013:Cessna 172 Skyhawk
1965:
1686:
1652:Dassault Mirage IV
1565:
1483:
1422:was pushed by the
1412:
1310:
1280:
1227:
1176:
1101:
1053:
973:(USAF designation
963:Renton, Washington
918:
746:Gloster Meteor F.3
688:B-50 Superfortress
681:Japanese homelands
610:
550:that serviced the
542:in 1928. The UK's
528:Le Bourget Airport
446:Royal Flying Corps
371:
230:
5302:
5301:
5298:
5297:
5155:Close air support
5019:military aircraft
4935:Airborne rearming
4910:978-0-679-60468-6
4889:978-0-89206-496-0
4822:978-0-16-002260-9
4759:978-1-84799-237-6
4741:978-1-56311-167-9
4726:978-1-84603-297-4
4708:978-1-57356-557-8
4265:Bull 2004, p. 84.
4239:978-1-84799-237-6
4202:, 29 April 2010.
3861:Dumoulin, André,
3566:on 16 August 2007
3104:Popular Mechanics
3075:on 16 April 2009.
3043:978-0-7190-4111-2
2751:Turkish Air Force
2729:Swedish Air Force
2663:Russian Air Force
2544:Swedish Air Force
2441:Italian Air Force
2419:Israeli Air Force
2305:Ilyushin Il-78MKI
2198:Chilean Air Force
1959:is refueled by a
1943:Combat Air Patrol
1796:Mediterranean Sea
1780:Israeli Air Force
1763:During the 1980s
1648:nuclear deterrent
1604:strategic bombers
1574:force multipliers
1558:Russian Air Force
1439:strategic bombers
1195:in operating its
901:
900:
893:
709:Fort Worth, Texas
599:The US Air Force
581:Olley Air Service
568:Richard Atcherley
556:Vickers Virginias
521:Popular Mechanics
484:US Army Air Corps
395:Sumas, Washington
391:aviation gasoline
355:Early experiments
340:strategic bombers
241:aerial refuelling
214:
213:
206:
196:
195:
188:
170:, as appropriate.
133:
132:
125:
70:
16:(Redirected from
5327:
5320:Aerial maneuvers
5163:
5080:
5079:
5062:
5011:
5004:
4997:
4988:
4987:
4914:
4893:
4853:Wynn, Humphrey.
4798:. Osprey, 1993.
4780:
4685:
4684:
4682:
4680:
4665:
4659:
4658:
4656:
4654:
4634:
4628:
4627:
4625:
4623:
4603:
4597:
4596:
4594:
4592:
4582:
4575:
4504:
4503:
4501:
4499:
4484:
4478:
4477:
4475:
4473:
4458:
4452:
4451:
4449:
4447:
4428:
4422:
4421:
4419:
4417:
4408:. Archived from
4402:
4396:
4395:
4393:
4391:
4376:
4370:
4369:
4367:
4365:
4356:. 29 July 2008.
4350:
4344:
4343:
4325:
4319:
4318:
4310:
4304:
4291:
4285:
4272:
4266:
4263:
4257:
4248:
4242:
4225:
4219:
4216:
4210:
4194:
4188:
4182:
4176:
4175:
4173:
4171:
4156:
4147:
4146:
4144:
4142:
4127:
4121:
4120:
4118:
4116:
4100:
4094:
4093:
4091:
4089:
4073:
4067:
4066:
4064:
4062:
4056:
4049:
4040:
4034:
4021:Nadimi, Farzin.
4019:
4013:
4012:
4010:
4008:
3989:
3983:
3982:
3980:
3978:
3963:
3957:
3956:
3954:
3952:
3947:on 11 April 2017
3943:. Archived from
3937:
3931:
3930:
3928:
3926:
3911:
3905:
3902:
3896:
3895:
3890:
3888:
3883:on 13 March 2012
3882:
3867:
3858:
3852:
3849:
3843:
3840:
3834:
3831:
3825:
3822:
3813:
3810:
3804:
3797:
3791:
3788:
3779:
3776:
3770:
3767:
3761:
3758:
3752:
3749:
3743:
3742:
3740:
3738:
3722:
3711:
3710:
3708:
3706:
3691:
3685:
3684:
3682:
3680:
3661:
3655:
3654:
3648:
3640:
3638:
3636:
3616:
3610:
3607:
3601:
3594:
3588:
3582:
3576:
3575:
3573:
3571:
3562:. Archived from
3552:
3546:
3545:
3540:. United States
3533:
3524:
3523:
3521:
3519:
3505:
3499:
3498:
3496:
3494:
3479:
3473:
3472:
3471:
3469:
3450:
3444:
3443:
3441:
3439:
3419:
3413:
3412:
3410:
3408:
3399:. Archived from
3393:
3387:
3386:
3374:
3368:
3362:
3356:
3355:
3353:
3351:
3336:
3330:
3329:
3327:
3325:
3305:
3299:
3298:
3296:
3294:
3279:
3273:
3270:
3264:
3263:
3261:
3259:
3244:
3238:
3222:
3216:
3215:
3203:
3197:
3196:
3194:
3192:
3177:
3171:
3170:
3168:
3166:
3160:
3153:
3144:
3138:
3135:
3129:
3126:
3120:
3119:
3117:
3115:
3095:
3089:
3086:
3077:
3076:
3071:. Archived from
3065:
3059:
3056:
3050:
3019:
3013:
3012:
3010:
3008:
3002:
2996:. Archived from
2975:
2966:
2945:
2934:
2907:Propellant depot
2881:
2879:
2878:
2849:
2847:
2846:
2808:
2806:
2805:
2786:
2784:
2783:
2764:
2762:
2761:
2742:
2740:
2739:
2720:
2718:
2717:
2698:
2696:
2695:
2676:
2674:
2673:
2646:
2644:
2643:
2624:
2622:
2621:
2602:
2600:
2599:
2580:
2578:
2577:
2558:
2556:
2555:
2520:
2518:
2517:
2507:Kuwait Air Force
2498:
2496:
2495:
2476:
2474:
2473:
2454:
2452:
2451:
2432:
2430:
2429:
2410:
2408:
2407:
2388:
2386:
2385:
2366:
2364:
2363:
2353:Indian Air Force
2344:
2342:
2341:
2331:German Air Force
2322:
2320:
2319:
2286:French Air Force
2277:
2275:
2274:
2255:
2253:
2252:
2233:
2231:
2230:
2211:
2209:
2208:
2189:
2187:
2186:
2167:
2165:
2164:
2145:
2143:
2142:
2123:
2121:
2120:
2101:
2099:
2098:
2079:
2077:
2076:
1954:French Air Force
1893:Falkland Islands
1881:Ascension Island
1491:fighter aircraft
1352:Simple grappling
1308:A KC-10 Extender
1300:Multiple systems
1292:causing damage.
1284:French Air Force
1282:USAF KC-135 and
1185:carrier air wing
1083:Probe-and-drogue
1015:, small movable
912:Dutch Air Force
896:
889:
885:
882:
876:
853:
845:
741:probe-and-drogue
623:Airspeed Courier
536:French Air Force
530:near Paris, the
469:Airspeed Courier
465:Airspeed Limited
444:, member of the
282:probe-and-drogue
233:Aerial refueling
209:
202:
191:
184:
180:
177:
171:
143:
142:
135:
128:
121:
117:
114:
108:
103:this article by
94:inline citations
81:
80:
73:
62:
40:
39:
32:
21:
5335:
5334:
5330:
5329:
5328:
5326:
5325:
5324:
5305:
5304:
5303:
5294:
5229:
5205:Maritime patrol
5178:Air superiority
5161:
5071:
5060:
5022:
5021:types and roles
5015:
4982:Wayback Machine
4921:
4911:
4890:
4882:. p. 158.
4696:Bull, Stephen.
4693:
4688:
4678:
4676:
4666:
4662:
4652:
4650:
4635:
4631:
4621:
4619:
4604:
4600:
4590:
4588:
4577:
4576:
4507:
4497:
4495:
4486:
4485:
4481:
4471:
4469:
4459:
4455:
4445:
4443:
4430:
4429:
4425:
4415:
4413:
4404:
4403:
4399:
4389:
4387:
4378:
4377:
4373:
4363:
4361:
4352:
4351:
4347:
4340:
4326:
4322:
4311:
4307:
4301:Wayback Machine
4292:
4288:
4282:Wayback Machine
4273:
4269:
4264:
4260:
4249:
4245:
4226:
4222:
4217:
4213:
4208:Wayback Machine
4200:Royal Air Force
4195:
4191:
4183:
4179:
4169:
4167:
4158:
4157:
4150:
4140:
4138:
4129:
4128:
4124:
4114:
4112:
4101:
4097:
4087:
4085:
4074:
4070:
4060:
4058:
4054:
4047:
4041:
4037:
4020:
4016:
4006:
4004:
3991:
3990:
3986:
3976:
3974:
3965:
3964:
3960:
3950:
3948:
3939:
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3899:
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3859:
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3807:
3798:
3794:
3789:
3782:
3777:
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3755:
3750:
3746:
3736:
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3723:
3714:
3704:
3702:
3693:
3692:
3688:
3678:
3676:
3663:
3662:
3658:
3642:
3641:
3634:
3632:
3625:Digital Library
3617:
3613:
3608:
3604:
3595:
3591:
3583:
3579:
3569:
3567:
3554:
3553:
3549:
3534:
3527:
3517:
3515:
3513:airforce.gov.au
3507:
3506:
3502:
3492:
3490:
3481:
3480:
3476:
3467:
3465:
3452:
3451:
3447:
3437:
3435:
3428:Popular Science
3420:
3416:
3406:
3404:
3395:
3394:
3390:
3375:
3371:
3363:
3359:
3349:
3347:
3338:
3337:
3333:
3323:
3321:
3314:Popular Science
3306:
3302:
3292:
3290:
3281:
3280:
3276:
3271:
3267:
3257:
3255:
3246:
3245:
3241:
3235:Wayback Machine
3223:
3219:
3212:Popular Science
3204:
3200:
3190:
3188:
3179:
3178:
3174:
3164:
3162:
3158:
3151:
3145:
3141:
3136:
3132:
3127:
3123:
3113:
3111:
3096:
3092:
3087:
3080:
3067:
3066:
3062:
3057:
3053:
3033:); G.H. Pirie,
3021:Colin Cruddas,
3020:
3016:
3006:
3004:
3000:
2973:
2967:
2963:
2959:
2954:
2949:
2948:
2935:
2931:
2926:
2898:
2876:
2874:
2844:
2842:
2803:
2801:
2795:Royal Air Force
2781:
2779:
2759:
2757:
2737:
2735:
2715:
2713:
2693:
2691:
2671:
2669:
2641:
2639:
2619:
2617:
2597:
2595:
2575:
2573:
2553:
2551:
2515:
2513:
2493:
2491:
2471:
2469:
2449:
2447:
2427:
2425:
2405:
2403:
2383:
2381:
2361:
2359:
2339:
2337:
2317:
2315:
2272:
2270:
2250:
2248:
2228:
2226:
2206:
2204:
2184:
2182:
2162:
2160:
2140:
2138:
2118:
2116:
2096:
2094:
2074:
2072:
2054:
2022:
2009:
1996:
1984:Iraqi Air Force
1961:Lockheed HC-130
1913:
1863:. However, the
1845:Super Etendards
1825:
1761:
1737:KC-130 Hercules
1717:KA-3 Skywarrior
1678:
1669:
1623:non-stop flight
1591:
1586:
1570:
1518:SR-71 Blackbird
1507:Kadena Air Base
1400:
1371:
1354:
1338:
1302:
1272:
1219:KC-130 Hercules
1148:
1093:C-130K Hercules
1085:
946:
906:
897:
886:
880:
877:
866:
854:
843:
761:Tarrant Rushton
737:
593:
562:Royal Air Force
506:Fred and Al Key
403:Tijuana, Mexico
357:
352:
310:with a greater
210:
199:
198:
197:
192:
181:
175:
172:
157:
144:
140:
129:
118:
112:
109:
99:Please help to
98:
82:
78:
41:
37:
30:
23:
22:
15:
12:
11:
5:
5333:
5323:
5322:
5317:
5300:
5299:
5296:
5295:
5293:
5292:
5287:
5282:
5277:
5272:
5271:
5270:
5260:
5259:
5258:
5251:Reconnaissance
5248:
5243:
5237:
5235:
5231:
5230:
5228:
5227:
5225:Strike fighter
5222:
5220:Fighter-bomber
5217:
5212:
5207:
5202:
5201:
5200:
5195:
5190:
5185:
5180:
5170:
5165:
5157:
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5110:
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5093:
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5077:
5073:
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5046:
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5036:
5030:
5028:
5024:
5023:
5014:
5013:
5006:
4999:
4991:
4985:
4984:
4972:
4967:
4962:
4948:
4943:
4938:
4932:
4927:
4920:
4919:External links
4917:
4916:
4915:
4909:
4894:
4888:
4866:
4851:
4836:
4825:
4807:
4792:
4781:
4768:Air Enthusiast
4762:
4746:Darling, Kev.
4744:
4729:
4711:
4692:
4689:
4687:
4686:
4660:
4629:
4598:
4505:
4479:
4453:
4423:
4412:on 12 May 2015
4397:
4371:
4345:
4338:
4320:
4305:
4286:
4267:
4258:
4243:
4220:
4211:
4189:
4187:, p. 306.
4177:
4148:
4122:
4105:"תדלוק אווירי"
4095:
4068:
4035:
4014:
3984:
3958:
3932:
3906:
3897:
3853:
3844:
3835:
3826:
3814:
3805:
3792:
3780:
3771:
3762:
3753:
3744:
3712:
3686:
3656:
3611:
3602:
3589:
3587:, p. 158.
3577:
3547:
3544:. p. 364.
3525:
3500:
3474:
3445:
3414:
3403:on 8 July 2011
3388:
3369:
3357:
3331:
3300:
3274:
3265:
3239:
3217:
3198:
3172:
3139:
3130:
3121:
3090:
3078:
3060:
3051:
3045:; G.H. Pirie,
3014:
2960:
2958:
2955:
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2950:
2947:
2946:
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2922:
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2865:
2860:
2854:
2853:
2820:
2819:
2813:
2812:
2798:
2797:
2791:
2790:
2788:United Kingdom
2776:
2775:
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2768:
2754:
2753:
2747:
2746:
2732:
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2710:
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2194:
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2134:
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2127:
2113:
2112:
2106:
2105:
2091:
2090:
2084:
2083:
2053:
2050:
2049:
2048:
2030:
2021:
2018:
2008:
2005:
1995:
1992:
1912:
1909:
1824:
1821:
1760:
1757:
1750:in Florida to
1729:A-7 Corsair II
1677:
1674:
1668:
1665:
1590:
1587:
1585:
1582:
1569:
1566:
1487:cargo aircraft
1477:Route map for
1432:B-47 Stratojet
1399:
1396:
1370:
1367:
1353:
1350:
1337:
1334:
1301:
1298:
1289:naval aviators
1271:
1268:
1263:Ilyushin Il-78
1147:
1144:
1084:
1081:
945:
942:
934:KC-10 Extender
916:refueling boom
905:
902:
899:
898:
857:
855:
848:
842:
839:
784:Chief of Staff
736:
733:
723:, and between
592:
589:
552:British Empire
430:Armée de l'Air
411:Eugene, Oregon
356:
353:
351:
348:
212:
211:
194:
193:
154:of the subject
152:worldwide view
147:
145:
138:
131:
130:
85:
83:
76:
71:
45:
44:
42:
35:
28:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
5332:
5321:
5318:
5316:
5315:Air refueling
5313:
5312:
5310:
5291:
5288:
5286:
5283:
5281:
5278:
5276:
5273:
5269:
5266:
5265:
5264:
5261:
5257:
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5158:
5156:
5153:
5151:
5148:
5144:
5141:
5139:
5136:
5134:
5131:
5129:
5128:Medium bomber
5126:
5124:
5121:
5119:
5116:
5115:
5114:
5111:
5107:
5104:
5102:
5099:
5098:
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5012:
5007:
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5000:
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4992:
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4928:
4926:
4923:
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4912:
4906:
4902:
4901:
4895:
4891:
4885:
4881:
4877:
4876:
4871:
4867:
4864:
4863:0-11-772833-0
4860:
4856:
4852:
4849:
4848:1-84415-827-6
4845:
4841:
4837:
4834:
4830:
4826:
4823:
4819:
4815:
4813:
4808:
4805:
4804:1-85532-258-7
4801:
4797:
4793:
4790:
4789:0-7110-0456-0
4786:
4782:
4778:
4774:
4770:
4769:
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4756:
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4712:
4709:
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4695:
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4609:
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4283:
4279:
4276:
4271:
4262:
4255:
4252:
4247:
4240:
4236:
4232:
4231:
4228:Kev Darling,
4224:
4215:
4209:
4205:
4201:
4198:
4193:
4186:
4181:
4165:
4161:
4155:
4153:
4136:
4132:
4126:
4110:
4106:
4099:
4083:
4079:
4076:Cooper, Tom.
4072:
4053:
4046:
4039:
4032:
4031:0-946219-46-X
4028:
4024:
4018:
4002:
3998:
3994:
3988:
3972:
3968:
3962:
3946:
3942:
3936:
3920:
3916:
3910:
3901:
3894:
3879:
3875:
3871:
3864:
3857:
3848:
3839:
3830:
3821:
3819:
3809:
3802:
3796:
3787:
3785:
3775:
3766:
3757:
3748:
3732:
3728:
3721:
3719:
3717:
3700:
3696:
3690:
3674:
3670:
3666:
3660:
3652:
3646:
3630:
3626:
3622:
3615:
3606:
3599:
3598:Marck R. Cobb
3593:
3586:
3581:
3565:
3561:
3557:
3551:
3543:
3539:
3532:
3530:
3514:
3510:
3509:"KC-30A MRTT"
3504:
3488:
3484:
3478:
3463:
3459:
3455:
3449:
3433:
3429:
3425:
3418:
3402:
3398:
3392:
3384:
3380:
3373:
3366:
3361:
3345:
3341:
3335:
3319:
3315:
3311:
3304:
3288:
3284:
3278:
3269:
3253:
3249:
3243:
3236:
3232:
3229:
3227:
3221:
3213:
3209:
3202:
3186:
3182:
3176:
3157:
3150:
3143:
3134:
3125:
3109:
3105:
3101:
3094:
3085:
3083:
3074:
3070:
3064:
3055:
3048:
3044:
3040:
3036:
3032:
3031:0-85130-376-5
3028:
3024:
3018:
2999:
2995:
2991:
2987:
2983:
2979:
2972:
2965:
2961:
2943:
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2933:
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2887:
2884:
2873:
2872:
2869:
2866:
2864:
2861:
2859:
2856:
2855:
2852:
2851:United States
2841:
2840:
2837:
2833:
2829:
2828:KC-46 Pegasus
2824:
2818:
2815:
2814:
2811:
2800:
2799:
2796:
2793:
2792:
2789:
2778:
2777:
2774:
2771:
2770:
2767:
2756:
2755:
2752:
2749:
2748:
2745:
2734:
2733:
2730:
2727:
2726:
2723:
2712:
2711:
2708:
2705:
2704:
2701:
2690:
2689:
2686:
2683:
2682:
2679:
2668:
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2661:
2660:
2655:
2649:
2638:
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2627:
2612:
2609:
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2594:
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2523:
2512:
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2218:
2217:
2214:
2203:
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2159:
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2093:
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2085:
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2071:
2070:
2067:
2063:
2058:
2046:
2042:
2038:
2034:
2031:
2028:
2024:
2023:
2017:
2014:
2004:
2001:
1991:
1989:
1986:launched the
1985:
1980:
1976:
1974:
1970:
1962:
1958:
1955:
1950:
1946:
1944:
1939:
1935:
1931:
1927:
1923:
1919:
1908:
1906:
1902:
1898:
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1878:
1873:
1870:
1866:
1862:
1858:
1854:
1850:
1846:
1842:
1838:
1834:
1830:
1829:Falklands War
1823:Falklands War
1820:
1817:
1813:
1809:
1805:
1801:
1797:
1793:
1789:
1785:
1781:
1776:
1774:
1770:
1766:
1765:Iran–Iraq War
1756:
1753:
1749:
1745:
1740:
1738:
1734:
1730:
1726:
1722:
1718:
1713:
1711:
1710:Pacific Ocean
1707:
1703:
1699:
1698:North Vietnam
1695:
1691:
1682:
1673:
1664:
1662:
1658:
1653:
1649:
1644:
1642:
1637:
1632:
1630:
1629:
1624:
1620:
1616:
1612:
1607:
1605:
1602:
1601:nuclear-armed
1597:
1581:
1579:
1575:
1562:
1559:
1554:
1550:
1548:
1542:
1539:
1535:
1531:
1527:
1523:
1519:
1514:
1512:
1508:
1505:, Hawaii and
1504:
1500:
1496:
1492:
1488:
1480:
1475:
1471:
1468:
1464:
1460:
1454:
1452:
1448:
1444:
1440:
1437:
1433:
1429:
1425:
1421:
1417:
1409:
1404:
1395:
1391:
1389:
1385:
1381:
1377:
1366:
1364:
1363:Question Mark
1360:
1349:
1347:
1343:
1333:
1331:
1327:
1323:
1319:
1315:
1306:
1297:
1293:
1290:
1285:
1276:
1267:
1264:
1260:
1256:
1252:
1248:
1244:
1239:
1235:
1233:
1224:
1220:
1217:
1212:
1208:
1206:
1202:
1198:
1194:
1190:
1186:
1181:
1173:
1169:
1165:
1161:
1157:
1152:
1143:
1139:
1137:
1133:
1127:
1125:
1120:
1118:
1114:
1110:
1106:
1098:
1094:
1089:
1080:
1076:
1074:
1070:
1065:
1061:
1059:
1050:
1049:boom operator
1047:
1044:
1040:
1036:
1032:
1030:
1029:boom operator
1026:
1025:hydraulically
1022:
1018:
1014:
1009:
1007:
1003:
999:
994:
992:
988:
987:Boeing 367-80
984:
980:
976:
972:
968:
964:
959:
956:(SAC), asked
955:
951:
941:
939:
938:KC-46 Pegasus
935:
931:
927:
926:boom operator
923:
915:
910:
895:
892:
884:
874:
870:
864:
863:
858:This section
856:
852:
847:
846:
838:
834:
832:
828:
824:
820:
816:
812:
808:
804:
799:
797:
793:
789:
785:
780:
778:
774:
769:
767:
762:
758:
754:
751:
748:jet fighter,
747:
742:
732:
730:
726:
722:
718:
714:
710:
706:
702:
698:
697:Lucky Lady II
694:
693:
692:Lucky Lady II
689:
684:
682:
678:
674:
670:
666:
661:
658:
654:
650:
646:
642:
638:
633:
630:
628:
624:
619:
615:
607:
606:
605:Lucky Lady II
602:
597:
588:
586:
582:
577:
573:
569:
566:
563:
559:
557:
553:
549:
545:
541:
537:
533:
529:
524:
522:
517:
515:
514:Curtiss Robin
511:
507:
503:
499:
495:
494:
493:Question Mark
489:
485:
480:
478:
474:
470:
466:
461:
459:
455:
451:
447:
443:
437:
435:
431:
427:
423:
418:
416:
412:
408:
405:, landing in
404:
400:
396:
392:
388:
384:
381:
377:
368:
365:
361:
347:
345:
341:
337:
334:
333:transatlantic
330:
326:
320:
317:
313:
309:
305:
301:
296:
294:
293:boom operator
290:
289:
284:
283:
278:
274:
273:aviation fuel
270:
266:
262:
258:
254:
250:
249:air refueling
246:
242:
238:
234:
227:
223:
218:
208:
205:
190:
187:
179:
169:
165:
161:
155:
153:
146:
137:
136:
127:
124:
116:
106:
102:
96:
95:
89:
84:
75:
74:
69:
67:
60:
59:
54:
53:
48:
43:
34:
33:
27:
19:
18:Aerial tanker
5274:
5263:Surveillance
5241:Experimental
5123:Light bomber
5118:Heavy bomber
4957:
4951:
4899:
4874:
4854:
4839:
4832:
4811:
4795:
4766:
4748:
4732:
4715:
4698:
4691:Bibliography
4679:16 September
4677:. Retrieved
4673:
4663:
4651:. Retrieved
4642:
4632:
4620:. Retrieved
4611:
4601:
4589:. Retrieved
4496:. Retrieved
4482:
4470:. Retrieved
4466:
4456:
4444:. Retrieved
4435:
4426:
4414:. Retrieved
4410:the original
4400:
4388:. Retrieved
4374:
4362:. Retrieved
4348:
4329:
4323:
4314:
4308:
4289:
4270:
4261:
4253:
4246:
4229:
4223:
4214:
4199:
4192:
4185:Bergman 2018
4180:
4168:. Retrieved
4139:. Retrieved
4125:
4113:. Retrieved
4098:
4086:. Retrieved
4071:
4059:. Retrieved
4038:
4023:F-4 Phantom.
4022:
4017:
4005:. Retrieved
3996:
3987:
3975:. Retrieved
3961:
3949:. Retrieved
3945:the original
3935:
3923:. Retrieved
3909:
3900:
3892:
3885:, retrieved
3878:the original
3873:
3869:
3856:
3847:
3838:
3829:
3808:
3800:
3795:
3774:
3765:
3756:
3747:
3735:. Retrieved
3703:. Retrieved
3689:
3677:. Retrieved
3668:
3659:
3645:cite journal
3633:. Retrieved
3624:
3614:
3605:
3592:
3580:
3568:. Retrieved
3564:the original
3559:
3550:
3537:
3516:. Retrieved
3512:
3503:
3491:. Retrieved
3477:
3466:, retrieved
3457:
3448:
3436:. Retrieved
3427:
3417:
3405:. Retrieved
3401:the original
3391:
3382:
3378:
3372:
3364:
3360:
3348:. Retrieved
3334:
3322:. Retrieved
3313:
3303:
3291:. Retrieved
3277:
3268:
3256:. Retrieved
3242:
3225:
3220:
3211:
3201:
3189:. Retrieved
3175:
3163:. Retrieved
3142:
3133:
3124:
3112:. Retrieved
3103:
3093:
3073:the original
3063:
3054:
3046:
3034:
3022:
3017:
3005:. Retrieved
2998:the original
2977:
2964:
2932:
2810:Saudi Arabia
2616:
2615:
2020:Developments
2010:
1997:
1981:
1977:
1966:
1938:Vickers VC10
1926:Saudi Arabia
1922:Diego Garcia
1914:
1897:Boeing B-52s
1874:
1856:
1853:Sea Harriers
1841:A-4 Skyhawks
1826:
1783:
1777:
1762:
1741:
1725:A-6 Intruder
1714:
1706:F-4 Phantoms
1687:
1670:
1645:
1633:
1626:
1608:
1592:
1571:
1561:Sukhoi Su-34
1543:
1529:
1515:
1484:
1455:
1451:first strike
1413:
1392:
1372:
1359:gravity feed
1355:
1339:
1336:Wing-to-wing
1311:
1294:
1281:
1255:Soviet Union
1247:Marine Corps
1240:
1236:
1228:
1177:
1140:
1128:
1123:
1121:
1112:
1108:
1104:
1102:
1077:
1066:
1062:
1054:
1033:
1010:
1002:poppet valve
995:
979:World War II
950:Curtis LeMay
947:
919:
887:
878:
867:Please help
862:verification
859:
835:
800:
781:
777:jet aircraft
770:
752:
740:
738:
717:Saudi Arabia
696:
690:
685:
662:
648:
647:flying boat
645:Short Empire
640:
634:
631:
617:
611:
603:
572:barnstorming
560:
548:flying boats
525:
520:
518:
510:A. D. Hunter
492:
481:
462:
438:
419:
372:
367:Lowell Smith
336:flying boats
329:World War II
321:
297:
286:
280:
268:
264:
260:
256:
252:
248:
240:
232:
231:
200:
182:
173:
149:
119:
110:
91:
63:
56:
50:
49:Please help
46:
26:
5215:Interdictor
5183:Interceptor
5092:(AEW&C)
4498:19 November
4416:19 November
4390:19 November
4364:19 November
4170:13 December
4141:19 November
4115:19 November
4007:9 September
3669:Macleans.ca
3493:19 November
3407:17 November
3350:19 November
3293:19 November
3258:19 November
2836:Edwards AFB
2582:Netherlands
2478:South Korea
2309:Mirage 2000
2291:French Navy
1994:Helicopters
1889:Avro Vulcan
1865:Mirage IIIs
1827:During the
1806:(PLO) near
1759:Middle East
1721:A-4 Skyhawk
1690:Vietnam War
1688:During the
1676:Vietnam War
1636:Avro Vulcan
1538:flash point
1524:in central
1499:Vietnam War
1479:MATS (West)
1445:strike for
1249:, and some
1232:oscillation
1172:Arabian Sea
1168:French Navy
1146:Buddy store
1117:shuttlecock
1109:para-drogue
983:stall speed
904:Flying boom
786:of the new
665:Tiger Force
641:looped-hose
614:Alan Cobham
576:Middle East
488:Carl Spaatz
450:World War I
442:Alan Cobham
428:and by the
380:Airco DH-4B
344:Vietnam War
288:flying boom
224:refuels an
176:August 2017
105:introducing
5309:Categories
5234:Non-combat
5210:Multi-role
5143:Pathfinder
5138:Penetrator
5054:Helicopter
5044:Fixed-wing
4446:31 January
4339:1557502811
3951:6 December
3887:18 October
3705:8 February
3635:27 October
3560:Zvezda JSC
3007:20 October
2952:References
2830:refuels a
2000:helicopter
1903:and later
1861:San Julian
1833:Royal Navy
1792:Boeing 707
1667:Korean War
1526:California
1330:A330 MRTTs
1193:Royal Navy
881:April 2012
831:New Mexico
821:, and the
766:Cobham plc
757:test pilot
729:West Coast
713:the Azores
500:using two
113:March 2009
88:references
52:improve it
5290:Transport
5188:Emergency
5133:Strategic
5059:Unmanned
4955:, a 1955
4777:0143-5450
4612:Janes.com
4467:The Drive
3518:30 August
3191:4 October
3165:1 October
2994:114942345
2957:Citations
2883:Venezuela
2678:Singapore
2368:Indonesia
2125:Australia
2103:Argentina
2052:Operators
1907:flights.
1847:in their
1843:and Navy
1748:Eglin AFB
1522:Beale AFB
1516:The USAF
1463:Lightning
1398:Strategic
1180:hardpoint
1170:over the
998:gimballed
669:Lancaster
540:Vincennes
458:Australia
407:San Diego
397:, on the
295:station.
164:talk page
58:talk page
5168:Intruder
4978:Archived
4647:Archived
4616:Archived
4585:Archived
4492:Archived
4440:Archived
4384:Archived
4358:Archived
4297:Archived
4278:Archived
4204:Archived
4164:Archived
4135:Archived
4109:Archived
4088:20 April
4082:Archived
4052:Archived
4033:. p. 77.
4001:Archived
3977:28 March
3971:Archived
3919:Archived
3799:Rodwell
3737:30 March
3731:Archived
3699:Archived
3673:Archived
3629:Archived
3487:Archived
3468:13 April
3462:archived
3460:, 1949,
3432:Archived
3344:Archived
3318:Archived
3287:Archived
3252:Archived
3231:Archived
3185:Archived
3156:Archived
3108:Archived
2896:See also
2626:Portugal
2604:Pakistan
2522:Malaysia
2235:Colombia
2047:program.
1911:Gulf War
1901:Gulf War
1773:airspace
1733:jet fuel
1694:Thailand
1596:Cold War
1589:Cold War
1568:Tactical
1511:matériel
1424:Cold War
1259:Xian H-6
1017:airfoils
727:and the
651:from an
383:biplanes
158:You may
5285:Trainer
5280:Testbed
5246:Liaison
5173:Fighter
5150:Carrier
5106:Gunship
5067:Stealth
5039:Balloon
5034:Airship
5017:Modern
4591:1 April
4472:16 July
4241:(p.119)
3679:13 June
3379:Logbook
2560:Morocco
2542:of the
2324:Germany
2081:Algeria
2043:in the
1918:England
1869:Daggers
1812:Tunisia
1661:tankers
1578:payload
1547:KC-135Q
1541:SR-71.
1459:Javelin
1430:-armed
1428:nuclear
1322:KC-135s
1243:US Navy
1225:, 2011
1189:carrier
1166:of the
1160:US Navy
1158:of the
1006:toggles
944:History
924:that a
841:Systems
819:Arizona
677:Halifax
673:Lincoln
649:Cambria
565:officer
498:Chicago
426:England
385:of the
312:payload
308:takeoff
304:fatigue
269:tanking
267:), and
101:improve
5275:Tanker
5193:Escort
5113:Bomber
5096:Attack
5083:Combat
5049:Glider
4958:Flight
4907:
4886:
4861:
4846:
4833:Flight
4820:
4802:
4787:
4775:
4757:
4739:
4724:
4706:
4653:6 July
4622:6 July
4488:"Ares"
4436:Metrea
4336:
4237:
4029:
3925:6 July
3801:Flight
3570:6 July
3458:Flight
3438:16 May
3324:4 June
3114:4 June
3041:
3029:
2992:
2880:
2848:
2807:
2785:
2763:
2744:Turkey
2741:
2722:Sweden
2719:
2697:
2675:
2648:Russia
2645:
2623:
2601:
2579:
2557:
2519:
2500:Kuwait
2497:
2475:
2453:
2431:
2412:Israel
2409:
2387:
2365:
2343:
2321:
2279:France
2276:
2254:
2232:
2210:
2188:
2169:Canada
2166:
2147:Brazil
2144:
2122:
2100:
2078:
1924:, and
1857:Jaguar
1849:Exocet
1835:. The
1752:Danang
1744:HH-53C
1727:, and
1702:F-105s
1493:, and
1443:Soviet
1388:F-35Cs
1384:F-35Bs
1346:Tu-16s
1318:Cobham
1203:, and
1174:, 2015
1164:Rafale
1113:basket
1105:drogue
1046:KC-135
1021:V-tail
958:Boeing
773:tanker
750:serial
725:Hawaii
701:KB-29M
473:London
454:Africa
434:France
413:, and
300:loiter
277:tanker
239:), or
90:, but
5268:Scout
5256:Scout
5198:Night
5076:Roles
5061:(UAV)
5027:Types
4061:4 May
4055:(PDF)
4048:(PDF)
3881:(PDF)
3866:(PDF)
3596:Maj.
3159:(PDF)
3152:(PDF)
3001:(PDF)
2990:S2CID
2974:(PDF)
2924:Notes
2834:over
2700:Spain
2456:Japan
2434:Italy
2346:India
2257:Egypt
2213:China
2191:Chile
1957:EC725
1808:Tunis
1788:F-15s
1657:C-135
1467:India
1416:KC-97
1376:F-35A
1342:Tu-4s
1314:KC-10
1124:probe
1073:KC-46
1069:KC-10
914:KC-10
753:EE397
477:India
401:, to
364:Capt.
245:en-gb
237:en-us
166:, or
5162:(EW)
4905:ISBN
4884:ISBN
4880:CSIS
4859:ISBN
4844:ISBN
4818:ISBN
4800:ISBN
4785:ISBN
4773:ISSN
4755:ISBN
4737:ISBN
4722:ISBN
4704:ISBN
4681:2023
4655:2021
4643:ABDR
4624:2021
4593:2020
4500:2016
4474:2023
4448:2023
4418:2016
4392:2016
4366:2016
4334:ISBN
4235:ISBN
4172:2021
4143:2016
4117:2016
4090:2013
4063:2013
4027:ISBN
4009:2012
3979:2021
3953:2020
3927:2021
3889:2010
3739:2021
3707:2014
3681:2015
3651:link
3637:2017
3572:2021
3520:2024
3495:2016
3470:2014
3440:2019
3409:2009
3352:2016
3326:2016
3295:2016
3260:2016
3193:2013
3167:2013
3116:2016
3039:ISBN
3027:ISBN
3009:2011
2538:Two
2390:Iran
2066:F-16
2062:RAAF
2045:KQ-X
2037:NASA
1867:and
1778:The
1704:and
1534:JP-7
1530:LTTR
1481:1964
1461:and
1434:and
1418:and
1386:and
1344:and
1251:Army
1241:The
1216:USMC
1132:NATO
1107:(or
1097:VC10
1043:USAF
807:Ohio
721:Guam
671:and
612:Sir
456:and
2982:doi
2832:B-2
2302:IAF
2300:An
1905:B-2
1784:Ram
1696:to
1154:An
871:by
825:at
813:at
707:in
667:'s
616:'s
526:At
475:to
448:in
432:in
424:in
265:AAR
259:),
257:IFR
5311::
4878:.
4831:.
4672:.
4645:.
4641:.
4614:.
4610:.
4508:^
4490:.
4465:.
4438:.
4434:.
4151:^
4133:.
4107:.
4080:.
4050:.
3999:.
3995:.
3891:,
3874:II
3872:,
3868:,
3817:^
3783:^
3715:^
3697:.
3667:.
3647:}}
3643:{{
3627:.
3623:.
3558:.
3528:^
3511:.
3485:.
3456:,
3426:.
3383:14
3381:.
3342:.
3312:.
3285:.
3250:.
3210:.
3183:.
3154:.
3102:.
3081:^
2988:.
2976:.
2826:A
2060:A
1952:A
1920:,
1810:,
1723:,
1659:F
1556:A
1489:,
1406:A
1245:,
1214:A
1199:,
936:,
932:,
829:,
817:,
805:,
768:.
731:.
715:,
655:.
417:.
251:,
220:A
61:.
5010:e
5003:t
4996:v
4913:.
4892:.
4865:.
4850:.
4824:.
4814:.
4806:.
4791:.
4779:.
4761:.
4743:.
4728:.
4710:.
4683:.
4657:.
4626:.
4595:.
4502:.
4476:.
4450:.
4420:.
4394:.
4368:.
4342:.
4174:.
4145:.
4092:.
4065:.
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3981:.
3955:.
3929:.
3741:.
3709:.
3683:.
3653:)
3639:.
3574:.
3522:.
3497:.
3442:.
3411:.
3354:.
3328:.
3297:.
3262:.
3195:.
3169:.
3118:.
3011:.
2984::
2944:.
894:)
888:(
883:)
879:(
865:.
263:(
255:(
243:(
235:(
207:)
201:(
189:)
183:(
178:)
174:(
156:.
126:)
120:(
115:)
111:(
97:.
68:)
64:(
20:)
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.