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Aerial Refueling

All articles tagged with #aerial refueling

MQ-25 Stingray Flies for First Time, Paving Way for Carrier-Based Refueling
technology29 days ago

MQ-25 Stingray Flies for First Time, Paving Way for Carrier-Based Refueling

The U.S. Navy’s production-representative MQ-25 Stingray completed its first flight on April 25, 2026 at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport, moving from ground testing to flight testing and setting up an IOC target of FY2027. Designed to perform carrier-based aerial refueling (delivering about 14,000–16,000 lb of fuel over 500 nm) and potentially ISR tasks, the program plans nine aircraft for testing and fielding. Boeing has opened a dedicated production facility to support LRIP, while the program continues to address schedule slips and cost considerations as it advances toward integrating unmanned aircraft into the carrier air wing.

via The Aviationist|
#aerial-refueling#carrier-aviation#mq-25-stingray
Army Considers In-Flight Refueling for MV-75A Cheyenne II With Unmanned Tanker Support
defense1 month ago

Army Considers In-Flight Refueling for MV-75A Cheyenne II With Unmanned Tanker Support

The U.S. Army is evaluating equipping its MV-75A Cheyenne II tiltrotors with probe-and-drogue in-flight refueling and is eyeing unmanned tankers, notably the Navy’s MQ-25 Stingray, to extend the aircraft’s range. A special-operations configuration with built-in refueling is planned for the 160th SOAR, while conventional MV-75As may or may not receive the capability. The Army currently has no organic tanker capacity, and there is no fixed timeline for first flight or production, with fielding timelines shifting as joint and unmanned tanker concepts are explored.

via The War Zone|
#aerial-refueling#defense#in-flight-refueling
Mastering Aerial Refueling: Enhancing the F-5's Power
military-aviation2 years ago

Mastering Aerial Refueling: Enhancing the F-5's Power

A pilot recounts the challenges of aerial refueling in an underpowered CF-5 fighter-trainer aircraft. The heavy external load and limited thrust of the jet made it difficult to maintain speed and maneuverability behind the Boeing 707 tanker. The pilot struggled to make successful contact with the refueling basket, but eventually managed to plug in and complete the refueling. The article highlights the importance of proper training and the unique difficulties faced by pilots in air-to-air refueling operations.

via The War Zone|
#aerial-refueling#boeing-707-tanker#cf-5-fighter
Spectacular Flyovers Commemorate Air Force Milestones
military2 years ago

Spectacular Flyovers Commemorate Air Force Milestones

Four KC-135 Stratotankers from Fairchild Air Force Base conducted flyovers over 17 landmarks across the Northwest to celebrate the centennial anniversary of aerial refueling. The flyovers included air refueling demonstrations with other aircraft at select locations and covered states such as Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota. Aerial refueling serves as a force multiplier, increasing the capabilities of combat aircraft and enabling strategic deterrence for the United States.

via KTVZ|
#aerial-refueling#centennial-anniversary#fairchild-air-force-base
Multiple States to Experience Flyovers by Air Force and National Guard on Tuesday
military2 years ago

Multiple States to Experience Flyovers by Air Force and National Guard on Tuesday

Two F-16s and a refueling aircraft will fly over Fort Collins to celebrate the 100th anniversary of aerial refueling. The first aerial refueling mission was accomplished on June 27, 1923. The flyovers will happen at about 2,500 feet above ground level and will take place in Pueblo, Colorado Springs, Air Force Academy, Denver, Boulder, and Fort Collins. Aerial refueling enhances the speed, range, lethality, flexibility, and versatility of combat aircraft, serving as a force multiplier.

via Coloradoan|
#aerial-refueling#f-16#flyover
Spectacular Flyovers Celebrate Military Milestones Across the US
military2 years ago

Spectacular Flyovers Celebrate Military Milestones Across the US

The U.S. Air Force conducted two flyovers in Tennessee, including one in Knoxville, to celebrate 100 years of aerial refueling. A KC-135R Stratotanker and two F-16 Fighting Falcons flew over Neyland Stadium and near Interstate 40 as part of the national celebration. Aerial refueling remains critical to U.S. defense efforts, and the Air Force is in the process of recapitalizing its tanker fleet and pursuing the next-generation air refueling system.

via WATE 6 On Your Side|
#aerial-refueling#anniversary#flyover
"Statewide Flyover Celebrates 100th Anniversary of Aerial Refueling, Military Jets Soar Over Front Range, Michigan Air National Guard Flyovers, Rare High Desert KC-135s Display, and Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station Joins NYS Flyover"
military2 years ago

"Statewide Flyover Celebrates 100th Anniversary of Aerial Refueling, Military Jets Soar Over Front Range, Michigan Air National Guard Flyovers, Rare High Desert KC-135s Display, and Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station Joins NYS Flyover"

The United States Air Force is conducting a nationwide flyover to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first aerial refueling. Over 150 tankers will participate, including the 151st Air Refueling Wing in Utah. The flyover will pass through various landmarks in the state, starting at Utah State University in Logan and ending in Park City. Aerial refueling has been crucial to the Department of Defense's missions, allowing for the projection of airpower across the globe. In addition to refueling, tankers also perform other important tasks such as cargo transport and aeromedical evacuations.

via ABC4.com|
#100th-anniversary#aerial-refueling#flyover
Upcoming Air National Guard and Air Force Flyovers in Multiple States.
military2 years ago

Upcoming Air National Guard and Air Force Flyovers in Multiple States.

The Michigan Air National Guard will fly over several Michigan cities on June 27, 2023, to mark "100 years of aerial refueling excellence." The flyover will include KC-135 Stratotankers and A-10 Thunderbolt IIs based at Selfridge and operated by the 127th Wing. The flyover will originate from Selfridge Air National Guard Base near Detroit and will travel counter-clockwise around the Lower Peninsula, with appearances over several cities before landing at Selfridge. Other states are also having flyovers to mark 100 years since the first mid-air refueling by the U.S. Army Air Service.

via WOODTV.com|
#a-10-thunderbolt-iis#aerial-refueling#flyover
Boeing proposes enhanced defenses for KC-46 tanker.
defense2 years ago

Boeing proposes enhanced defenses for KC-46 tanker.

Boeing and Aurora Flight Sciences are developing new and advanced defensive capabilities for the KC-46 Pegasus and other future aerial refueling and mobility aircraft, as the Air Force considers whether to skip a competition for its next wave of tankers and buy more KC-46s. The Air Force is preparing for the possibility of a war against an advanced adversary such as China, which would involve fighting in heavily contested airspace. Boeing said having new defensive measures would make the Pegasus better able to survive in a high-end conflict, and the Air Force could choose to use these capabilities on multiple platforms.

via Defense News|
#aerial-refueling#air-force#boeing
Lockheed and GE team up for new tanker competition with LMXT and GE engine.
defense3 years ago

Lockheed and GE team up for new tanker competition with LMXT and GE engine.

Lockheed Martin has abandoned plans to offer contract aerial refueling services using a version of the Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT). While Lockheed Martin is no longer interested in providing contract tanker solutions, it is still trying to sell the LMXT to the Air Force to meet the requirements of the service's interim tanker acquisition plan, which is currently referred to as the KC-135 recapitalization effort.

via The War Zone|
#aerial-refueling#air-force#airbus