Posted on 02/27/2010 8:24:00 PM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld
In preparation for long-range missions and possible conflict with Iran, the Israel Air Force has expanded its training programs to include rapid refueling operations on runways.
It’s a dangerous practice since the aircraft’s engines are running while the fuel nozzle is still connected to the jets. The training is for both pilots and ground crews and it is being done to enable the aircraft to carry as much fuel as possible for long-range missions.
Fuel nozzles are traditionally disconnected from fighter aircraft while they are still parked in hangers and before they are rolled out to the runway, where they usually wait for several minutes before takeoff and while burning fuel. The new protocol includes keeping fuel trucks on the runway, having ground personnel reattach the nozzle and fuel the aircraft to the maximum fullness, disconnecting seconds before takeoff.
“We understand that many of our threats and challenges require us to develop a long-range capability,” one senior IAF officer explained. “Part of our preparation includes knowing how to fuel our aircraft so they can have as much fuel as possible.”
Last week, the IAF inaugurated a new unmanned aerial vehicle called the Heron TP. With the same wingspan as a Boeing 737, the Heron TP is Israel’s largest and most sophisticated drone, weighing 4,650 kg. and capable of flying for 36 hours while carrying a payload of hundreds of kilograms. The Heron will increase the IAF’s long-range capabilities, mainly in intelligence and surveillance, and according to foreign reports could also have missile strike capabilities.
(Excerpt) Read more at jpost.com ...
ping
Does Israel have the KC-135?
Our guys have done this for a long time. I went through some of the classroom training. The thought of actually peforming it made me shudder.
Ping.
It has a KC- 707 in its inventory.
It looks so easy.
It now has eight 707s for aerial refueling. They are much like our KC-135s, but not exactly.
This is a very dangerus operation, but professionals can get it done. Doing it anymore than you have to is just tempting fate though.....
I agree
There are a lot of things to go FUBAR. Running engines suck things in, including ground crew. Sources of ignition are everywhere. There’s almost always a bit of stray fuel when disconnecting. Etc, etc.
At least they aren’t trying it with F4’s. That plane couldn’t look at a fuel truck without peeing jet fuel all over the ramp.
Miramar has a Fuel Octagon with eight spots for refueling. You pull up, get chocked, shut down one engine and start taking fuel. If you had to sortie you could have that engine started by the time you get to the runway.
BS --that aircraft was fielded two years ago.
Back in the day, I’ve hot refueled in lots of places - Cherry Point, Oceana, Miramar, Moffett, Rosy - anywhere they had refueling pits. Pretty standard practice for double cycle hops. Only once hot refueled out of a truck, at Fallon, definitely could have had repercussions had there been a problem -generally speaking a no no. An absolute no no among the blue suiters.
Used to pit at 29 Palms, an expeditionary field. And they did F-4s, although they looked like they were taking an IV and did take forever to fill. Like hot-pumping a CH53E aboard ship. Although I think they did it because it was the safest flighttime they logged.
My personal favorite was hot refueling a TA-4 onboard the carrier. They had a connector that went on the end of the refueling boom. That was weird, but we didn't have to shut down.
For the Israelis, this is not without precedent. The IAF’s proficiency during the Six-Day War (1967) was greatly enhanced by the speed of the ground crews at refueling and rearming aircraft, doing tasks that usually took an hour of more in minutes. Tricky, yes, but you gotta go with what you’ve got.
>>”Doing it anymore than you have to is just tempting fate though.....”
Hot fueling was standard practice on Hueys. There was a plug (on the refueling hose) to ground the aircraft, so there wouldn’t be a spark when the nozzle touched the aircraft. (Rapidly turning rotor blades can cause a static charge to build up.) They were held at “flight idle” during refueling; meaning that the rotor was kept turning at the same speed needed to fly, but with no “pitch” in the rotor.
That way (in theory) if a fire started, the pilots could add pitch (which automatically added power) and take off, instantly; leaving the doorgunner (the most expendable crewmember) standing there holding a flaming JP4 hose.
DG
Question if I may,
These military aircraft refuel in the air successfully all the time,
What makes this more dangerous?
Thanks.
Sounds like they’re readying for rapid turnaround on their salvos, as during a hot war. Thanks sonofstrangelove, edpc, and Strategy.
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