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ABSTRACT
Aerial refueling dates back to the very beginnings of flight and has developed into two very different and incompatible methods. While the U.S. Air Force primarily uses a boom-receptacle method, the U.S. Navy uses a probe-and-drogue method. Cross-service commonality of aerial refueling methods is a concept that has the potential to save money and increase the tactical abilities of the armed services. This paper serves to examine the feasibility of using a common method of aerial refueling for fighter/attack aircraft (collectively referred to as fighter aircraft). Safety, reliability, weight and refuel rates have been examined for each method. Currently there can be no set standard for fighter aircraft. The requirements for the U.S. Navy are such that they would not be able to utilize boom-receptacle refueling adequately, and similarly the requirements for the U.S. Air Force are such that probe-and-drogue refueling would not be feasible. There are many variables to consider with each aircraft and its intended use that affect which method is best incorporated.
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INTRODUCTION
Currently, there are two different and incompatible methods for aerial refueling. The first method is a probe-and-drogue method used by the United States Navy, Marine Corps, and limited United States Air Force aircraft. The aircraft requiring fuel is equipped with a probe that extends forward from the aircraft. The pilot must maneuver to insert the probe into a basket or drogue that trails from the tanker aircraft to obtain fuel and then must disconnect when the operation is complete (Smith, 1998). The second method is a boom-receptacle method used by the United States Air Force. The aircraft requiring fuel is equipped with a receptacle while the tanker has a boom with control surfaces, better known as a flying boom. The aircraft requiring fuel is directed into place by the boom operator using director lights that are either manually or automatically activated. Once the aircraft is stable in the correct position, the boom operator inserts the boom into the receptacle and refuels the aircraft. Once refueling is complete, the boom operator withdraws the boom (Holder & Wallace, 2000). Tankers with only a flying boom, like many KC- 135s, can use a boom-drogue adapter (BDA) kit that attaches to the boom as shown...