Why Fighter Jets use Gas Stations in the Sky instead of Ground



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0:00 How long can a fighter jet fly for without aerial refueling?
2:33 Why was the flying boom developed?
3:44 KC-97 Stratofreighter’s major flaw
4:51 Aerial refueling from a KC-135 Stratotanker
7:32 why aircraft have a refueling slipway
8:19 War Thunder (sponsor)
9:16 Refueling stealth aircraft in the air
10:29 What happens if aerial refueling boom or hose cannot be retracted
10:49 The downside of the KC-135 Stratotanker
11:04 The Boom Drogue Adapter (BDA)
12:05 The limitations of the Boom Drogue Adapter

Why the US Navy uses its most sophisticated fighter jets fuel other aircraft, how aerial refueling can help airplanes save on fuel and carry more payload, what made the F-4 Phantom notoriously difficult to mate with, and finally, how using a slower fuel transfer method can in fact speed up the refueling process, is #NotWhatYouThink #NWYT #longs

Music:
Universal Solution – Robert Ruth
Yhello – Lofive
Parkour Law – Truvio
The Showroom – V.V. Campos
Amalthea – Van Sandano
Flightmode – Chris Shards
Skipping Class – Birdies
Cloak – Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen
Break Down – Phoenix Tail
Composite Key – DEX 1200
Thyone – Ben Elson
Montage of a Map – Eden Avery
Beyond the Mountains – Experia
On the Trail – Tigerblood Jewel
Linda Low – Lucention

Footage:
Select images/videos from Getty Images
Shutterstock
US Department of Defense

Note: “The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.”

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43 thoughts on “Why Fighter Jets use Gas Stations in the Sky instead of Ground”

  1. the title literally changed while i was watching wtf when i started watching it was " why the us airforce has two refueling methods " and when i clicked off its now " how aerial gas stations work "

    Reply
  2. VFA-115 here during the period mentioned. I can say that refueling missions weren't the favorite. They were very long missions just for the pilot to be a flying gas station. Unlike those big AF tankers, the Super Hornets aren't as comfortable either. It isn't like the pilot could stand up to take a leak. But don't get me wrong because they can, just not standing up. 😂

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  3. I can't imagine what just the pivot on that adapter costs. I bet the cost of the adapter is high, but that knuckle probably accounts for more than half of that cost.

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  4. From what I've heard about the KC-46, when the receiver is backlit, meaning the sun is close to being directly being the receiver, the digital camera's have an issue with even seeing the receiver aircraft, let alone where the boom needs to be flown into. (In my experience, in life, not anything related to this, the mark 1 usually has an advantage over tech. Meaning the eyeball in the rear vs. the camera provided image in the front.)

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  5. Thank you for a MOST comprehensive overview of the aerial refueling subject! As usual, your vids lead to a greater understanding of aviation and various systems. Plz keep up the GREAT WORK!!

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  6. i'm only commenting on this video because it's been in my recommended feed all weekend and i have seen 4 different thumbnails for it. Stop changing it to increase the views. If it's doing badly there is a reason and it isn't the thumbnail.

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  7. 2:53 – Im guessing some Navy pilots also need more flight/seat time to their name so it looks better on paper should they want to transfer elsewhere within the military or outside of it as maybe a civilian pilot etc etc.

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  8. What’s with the roasted Altima?! 😂 you have three million subscribers. Surely you’re making better than Altima money out of this 🤣
    “Why I drive an Altima, it’s nooot what you think” 😆

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  9. At 21:46 there is an omega aircraft refueling a drone. In the mid 1990's I designed the 707 fuel system modifications for the 1st Omega Tanker. Omega contracted AEL/Tracor to modify one of there 707 Aircraft to be a hose and drogue tanker. The fuel system modifications installed two large Aerial Refueling pumps in the wing belly tanks. These pumps were connected with 4 inch diameter fuel lines to 2 removable pallets. Each pallet contained an FR300 hydraulic hose reel systems. These pallets where part of the B-kit and were designed to be removed from the aircraft in about an hour. With a removable Air Refueling B-Kit the Aircraft could perform either civilien or aerial refueling missions. The Aircraft had two hose reels for redundancy so that ocean crossing could be performed safely with only one tanker. It could deliver over 500 gallons per minute which was the highest flow rate for a 2 5/8 inch Inner Diameter Hose and Drogue system at the time. I have not kept up with what improvements were made to the Omega system over the years. It would be interesting to see how they are using it today.

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  10. Okay so literal combat fighting jets join the mile high club it’s just another day at the office, but i do it and i get banned from Spirit 😮😐 ALL I’m saying is if i miss the hole it’ll be a pleasant surprise but if THEY miss there could be catastrophic consequences 🥴🤷🏾‍♂️🤣 0:19

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