A Russian Air Force (VVS) Ilyushin Il-78 tanker aircraft with its two hose and drogue refuelling devices extended is followed by two Sukhoi Su-24 attack jet aircraft simulating aerial refuelling, flanked by four smaller Yakovlev Yak-130 trainer/fighter aircraft, from the celebration flypast during the Moscow Victory Day Parade of 2010.

This is a list of tanker aircraft used for aerial refuelling of another aircraft whilst in powered flight.

Refueling methods

Looped hose
The first commercial method employed a hose which was held slack in a trailing half-loop behind both aircraft. The receiving aircraft flew just below the tanker and deployed a steel line, which the tanker caught with its own grappling line and drew in. The tanker then connected the first steel line to the refueling hose and paid it out as the receiving aircraft reeled it back in.
Probe-and-drogue
The tanker trails a flexible hose with a stabilising drogue on the end and the receiving aircraft manoeuvers to insert a short probe into the receptacle in the drogue.
Flying boom
The tanker extends a hinged telescopic boom with aerodynamic control surfaces on its end. An operator "flies" it to match up with a receptacle on the receiving aircraft, which then moves forwards to make the connection.
Wing-to-wing
A hybrid method in which the tanker trails a flexible hose from a wing and the receiving aircraft catches it in a hooked receptacle under one of its own wings.
Buddy refueling
An aircraft type is fitted with both supply and receiving hardware, so that one aircraft can refuel another of the same type.

These images illustrate various aerial refuelling methods.

List of aircraft

military tanker aircraft used to refuel other aircraft in flight
Tanker
aircraft
based
on
aircraft
propulsion
method
Fuel
supply
method
Operators Date entered use Current
status
Qty Notes
Airbus A310 MRTTAirbus
A310-300C
2x turbofan jetprobe and drogueCanada / France / Germany2004operational6Two for Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), known in service as CC-150T Polaris
Airbus A330 MRTTAirbus
A330-200
2x turbofan jetprobe and drogueUnited Kingdom2011production/ operational7 KC2
5(+2) KC3
In Royal Air Force (RAF) service, it is exclusively hose-and-drogue, and is known as Voyager KC2 (two under-wing hose and drogue) and Voyager KC3 (two under-wing hose and drogue plus under-fuselage centreline high capacity hose and drogue), with no self-refuelling capability. 14 aircraft have been delivered: seven KC2, five KC3 and two fitted out as KC3.
Airbus A330 MRTTAirbus
A330-200
2x turbofan jetflying boomAustralia / Saudi Arabia / Spain / United Arab Emirates / Singapore Multinational Multi-Role Tanker Transport Fleetproduction/ operational61Versions operated by the Australian (designated KC-30), Emirati, Saudi air forces and the Multinational Multi-Role Tanker Transport Fleet are equipped with both a flying boom and hose and drogue refuelling units.
Airbus
A400M
Atlas
Airbus
A400M
Atlas
4x Europrop TP400 turbopropprobe and drogueSpain / Germany / France2013operational
Airco DH.4Airco DH.4propellergravity flow hoseUnited States1923retired1US Army Air Service trials at Rockwell Field, San Diego, California.[1]
Avro LancasterAvro Lancaster4x propellerprobe and drogueUnited Kingdom1948retiredPurchased and converted by Flight Refuelling Limited (FRL).[2]
Avro LancastrianAvro Lancaster4x propellerprobe and drogueUnited Kingdom1948retired4Purchased and converted by Flight Refuelling Limited (FRL), two Lancastrian tankers were based at Shannon, Ireland; the other two in North America, at Goose Bay, Labrador, and Gander, Newfoundland.[2]
Avro LincolnAvro Lincoln4x propellerprobe and drogueUnited KingdomretiredPurchased and converted by Flight Refuelling Limited (FRL).[2]
Avro Vulcan K.2Avro Vulcan4x jetprobe and drogueUnited Kingdom1982retired6Conversions as interim until VC.10 tankers ready.
Blackburn
Buccaneer
S.2
Blackburn
Buccaneer
S.2
2x turbofan jetprobe and drogueUnited KingdomretiredBuddy-buddy refuelling.
Boeing
KB-29M
Boeing B-29 Superfortress4x propellerprobe and drogueUnited States1948retired126The world's first aerial refuelling units were created; the 43d Air Refueling Squadron at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, and the 509th at Walker AFB, Roswell, New Mexico. Earlier KB-29M versions used a 'grappling hose' system, later models used a true probe and drogue. One KB-29M, redesignated YKB-29T (nicknamed 'Triple Nipple'), was modified to have another two refuelling hoses on its wingtip.[2]
Boeing
KB-29P
Boeing B-29 Superfortress4x propellerflying boomUnited States1948retired100+[2]
Boeing
KB-50
Boeing B-50 Superfortress4x propellerprobe and drogueUnited StatesretiredAn improved model of the B-29 Superfortress.
Boeing
KB-50
Boeing B-50 Superfortress4x propellerflying boomUnited StatesretiredA B-29 derivative.
Boeing KC-97 StratofreighterBoeing C-97 Stratofreighter4x propellerflying boomUnited States / IsraelretiredBased on the B-50, itself another B-29 Superfortress descendant.[2]
Boeing
KC-135
Stratotanker
Boeing
367-80

(Dash 80)
4x jetflying boomUnited States / Turkey / France / Chile / SingaporeoperationalBoom can be fitted pre-flight with a drogue adapter. AdlA C-135FR/KC-135R Stratotankers use the probe and drogue system and are in the process of being replaced by Airbus A330MRTT 'Phenix'. Singapores KC-135's have been by A330MRTT's and were sold to Meta Aerospace in the USA.
Boeing MQ-25 StingrayBoeing MQ-25 Stingrayturbofanprobe and drogueUnited Statesin developmentaerial refueling drone
Boeing 707Boeing 7074x jetprobe and drogueCanada / Israel / Spain / Italy / United StatesoperationalNew built and conversions of airliners with multi-point refuelling system pods. Israel allegedly converted ex-airliners with booms from withdrawn KC-97's. Two for RCAF as CC-137 Husky, Spain and Italy have retired their 707 tanker aircraft. Omega Aerial Refueling Services operates two in the United States.
Boeing KC-33ABoeing
747-100
4x jetflying boomIran4KC-33A is a modified Boeing 747 which lost in the USAF bidding competition to the KC-10 Extender. Four sold to the Iranian Air Force, one operational remaining.
Boeing 767MMTTBoeing 7672x jetprobe and drogueColombiaoperational1Multi Mission Tanker Transport (MMTT) conversion by IAI for the Fuerza Aérea Colombiana (FAC), a 767-200ER fitted with two ARP3 refuelling pods under the wings, and cargo door.
Boeing KC-767Boeing
767-200ER
2x jetflying boomItaly / Japanoperational8With cockpit updates, was (eventually) the winning entry in the USAF KC-X competition.
Boeing KC-46 PegasusBoeing
767-200ER
2x jetflying boomUnited StatesproductionUSAF designation for Boeing's updated winning KC-767 entry.
Boeing F/A-18E/F Super HornetBoeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet2x jetprobe and drogueUnited StatesEquipped for buddy-buddy refuelling as 'Strike tankers'. Taking over tanking duties after the S-3 was retired from service.
Consolidated
B-24 Liberator
Consolidated B-24 Liberator4x propellerUnited States1943retiredUsed for flight tests with a B–17E receiver.[2]
Dassault-Breguet Super ÉtendardDassault-Breguet Super Étendardjetprobe and drogueFranceBuddy-buddy refuelling.
Dassault RafaleDassault Rafale2x jetprobe and drogueFranceBuddy-buddy refuelling.
de Havilland Sea Vixende Havilland Sea Vixen2x jetprobe and drogueUnited KingdomretiredBuddy-buddy refuelling.
Douglas
KA-3B
Skywarrior
Douglas A-3 Skywarriorjetprobe and drogueUnited StatesretiredDedicated tanker variant of the Skywarrior. Primary US Navy tanker from the Vietnam War until retirement prior to Desert Storm.
Douglas A-4 SkyhawkDouglas A-4 Skyhawkturbojetprobe and drogueUnited StatesretiredBuddy-buddy refuelling.
Douglas C-1Douglas C-1propellergravity flow hoseUnited States1929retired2The C-1 was a single-engine transport, 6,445-pound biplane, transformed into tankers by installing two 150-gallon tanks for off-loading, and a refuelling hose that passed through a hatch cut in the floor.[2][1]
Embraer
KC-390
Embraer C-390 Millennium2x turbofanprobe and drogueBrazilCobham air-to-air refuelling system.
Grumman
KA-6D
Intruder
Grumman A-6 Intruder2x jetprobe and drogueUnited StatesretiredDedicated tanker variant of the Intruder. Attack variants of the A-6 also capable of buddy-buddy tanking.
Handley
Page
HP.54
Harrow
Handley
Page
HP.54
Harrow
2x propellerlooped hoseUnited Kingdom1939retired3Three Harrows were operated by Flight Refuelling Limited, and refuelled Short Empire flying boats on transatlantic services, two from Gander, Newfoundland and one based in Foynes, Ireland.[2]
Handley Page
Type W
Handley Page
W.10
2x propellerlooped hoseUnited Kingdom1935retired2Early trials and demonstrations by Flight Refuelling Ltd using a piston engined biplane.[2]
Handley
Page
Victor
Handley
Page
Victor
4x jetprobe and drogueUnited Kingdom1965retired30B(K).1A, K.1, K.1A and K.2 variants in Royal Air Force service, operated by No. 55 Squadron from RAF Marham. A number of Victor tankers saw action during Black Buck raids of the 1982 Falklands War, refuelling the Avro Vulcan bombers multiple times during each bombing run. Fleet retired October 1993.
Ilyushin Il-78 MidasIlyushin Il-764x turbofanprobe and drogueUSSR, India, China
Lockheed HC-130 Hercules & KC-130 HerculesLockheed
C-130
Hercules
&
C-130J
Super Hercules
4x turbopropprobe and drogueCanada / Indonesia / United Kingdom / United StatesVariants: Royal Canadian Air Force modified C-130H, Indonesian Air Force modified KC-130B, Royal Air Force modified C-130K, United States Marine Corps modified C-130F.[1]
Lockheed
KS-3B
Lockheed S-3 Viking2x turbofanprobe and drogueUnited StatesretiredThe former primary US Navy carrier-based tanker, equipped for buddy-buddy tanking.
Lockheed
TriStar

K1/KC1
Lockheed
L-1011-500
TriStar
3x turbofanprobe and drogueUnited Kingdom1986retired6Two K1 and four KC1 variants operated by No. 216 Squadron Royal Air Force from RAF Brize Norton. Fleet retired 24 March 2014.
LTV A-7
Corsair II
LTV A-7
Corsair II
jetprobe and drogueGreece / United StatesretiredEquipped for buddy-buddy tanking in US Navy and Greek Air Force service.
McDonnell
Douglas
KC-10
Extender
McDonnell
Douglas
DC-10
3x jetflying boomNetherlands / United StatesoperationalAlso has a retractable hose and drogue that can be selected in-flight. Can be fitted with two underwing pods (similar to the KC-135's MPRS) capable of simultaneously refuelling two receiver aircraft (Wing Air Refueling Pods or WARPs). The Royal Netherlands Air Force operates one out of originally two KDC-10s; former civil aircraft modified to a standard similar to the KC-10. The remaining KDC-10 will be withdrawn by the end of 2021. After overhaul, it will follow the other KDC-10 to be operated with Omega Aerial Refueling Services.
Mikoyan
MiG-29K
Mikoyan
MiG-29M
jetprobe and drogueUSSRBuddy-buddy refuelling.
Myasishchev
M-4-2
Myasishchev
M-4
bomber
4x jetprobe and drogueUSSRretired
Myasishchev
3MS-2
Myasishchev
3M
bomber
4x jetprobe and drogueUSSRretired
Panavia
Tornado
Panavia
Tornado
2x turbofanprobe and drogueretiredBuddy-buddy refuelling.
Sukhoi
Su-24M
Sukhoi
Su-24
2x jetprobe and drogueUSSREquipped for buddy-buddy refuelling in the Russian Air Force with the in-flight refuelling pod (Russian: universalny podvesnoy agregat zapravkiUPAZ)[3] container as 'Strike tankers'.
Sukhoi
Su-33
Sukhoi
Su-33
2x jetprobe and drogueUSSRBuddy-buddy refuelling.
Supermarine
Scimitar
Supermarine
Scimitar
jetprobe and drogueUnited KingdomretiredBuddy-buddy refuelling.
Tupolev
Tu-16N
Tupolev
Tu-16 bomber
2x jetprobe and drogueUSSR
Tupolev
Tu-16Z
Tupolev
Tu-16
2x jetwing to wingUSSR
Vickers
Valiant
B(K).1, B(PR)K.1
Vickers
Valiant
4x jetprobe and drogueUnited KingdomretiredThe Valiants had removable tanker system in the bomb bay. Operated by Royal Air Force.
Vickers
VC10

C1K, K2, K3, K4]]
Vickers
VC10
4x turbofanprobe and drogueUnited Kingdomretired27C1K (13), K2 (5), K3 (4), and K4 (5) variants served with the Royal Air Force, operated by 10 Squadron, 101 Squadron, and 1312 Flight. Fleet retired 20 September 2013.
Xian
H-6U
Xian
H-6
2x jetprobe and drogueChinaPeople's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) of China.
Xian
YU-20
Xian
Y-20
4x jetprobe and drogueChinaPeople's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) of China.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Aerial Refueling". www.CentennialOfFlight.gov. U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission. Archived from the original on 7 October 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Richard K. Smith (1998). "Seventy-Five Years of Inflight Refueling – Highlights, 1923–1998" (PDF). www.AirForceHistory.HQ.AF.Mil. Air Force History and Museums Program – United States Air Force. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 October 2008. Retrieved 17 November 2009.
  3. Gordon, Yefim; Dexter, Keith (2002). Polikarpov's Biplane Fighters. Hinckley, Leicestershire: Midland Publishing. ISBN 1-85780-141-5.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.