Facilities related to airplan development (16) Aerial refueling test

KC-46A Photo: USAF, which is conducting a refueling test for C-5M Super Galaxy

Aerial refueling test, for example, there is aerial refueling.Of course, in order to develop an aerial refueling machine or aerial refueling pod, it is necessary to test whether the refueling device works properly.This is easy to understand.However, that's not enough.[Photo] A Drogghorse with the Australian Army KC-30 refueling aircraft under the wings.A photography that intentionally puts a draw hose for the ground exhibition at the air show: Takashi Inoue's flying boom method, a probe drawing system, is close to the refueling aircraft (tanker).Is still in parallel.If two aircraft fly close, the aerodynamic impact is inevitable.And in that situation, the flying boom must be thrust into an oil receiving resepta or the oil receiving probe must be throgue.So, of course, when a new aerial refueling machine is formed or a new oil receiving aircraft is formed, an aerial refueling -related test is required.Once a new aerial refueling machine is formed, a test will be conducted to actually refuel all of the aircraft in operation (or all aircraft that may be subject to refueling).Once a new aircraft is created, the oil receiving aircraft will also be tested to refuel from an existing refueling machine.Therefore, a combination of a refueling machine (tanker) and an oil receiver (receiver), which has not been confirmed that there is no problem, cannot be substantial in the air as a mission.The US Air Force's new refueling aircraft, KC-46A, Pegasus, only for U.S. Air Force, which has many models in large households, will not be able to refuel all models at once, and will gradually promote tests and authentications.ing.On the sea, Boeing is conducting an unmanned refueling machine MQ-25 Stingray test.The first test was completed for the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, followed by the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, and the F-35C Lightning II.Only these three models require aerial refueling in US Navy aircraft carriers, so the first barrier has broken through.In dry and wet, how do you conduct the aerial refueling test?First, if you can't connect to the flying boom and oil receiving resep Takul, or the oil receiving probe and the draw, the story will not start.Start by confirming that the connection can be implemented smoothly and safely.At this stage, you will not transfer fuel just by connecting.This is called "dry contact".Once the dry / contact test is completed successfully, the next step is to proceed to the test to actually transfer fuel.This is called "wet contact".Does the fuel actually flow, so does the inside of the tube get wet and "wet"?Only after both examinations can be done without delay, it is said that "refueling from the tanker XX to the receiver △△."In addition, if a press release is issued by saying "Aerial refueling test was conducted", information on speed and altitude when contacted may be given together.This is the same for dry contact and wet contact.The previous exam is also necessary, but the dry and wet contact examinations are the final stages of a series of examinations.Prior to that, you must also check whether the flying boom and Drogghose work alone.In the flying boom, the boom itself is exposed to the outside, but when not in use, it jumps upwards.It is necessary to lower it and operate the pipe, and it is necessary to shake the neck up, down, left and right for the positioning.If these do not work properly, the problem before contact.In the case of a draw hose, when not in use, the hose is wrapped in an opportunity or in the pod, and it is only used when not in use.Therefore, the only thing that is exposed to the outside of the hose is only to the basket to put in the probe.Therefore, it is necessary to confirm whether the hose and winding can be performed without any problems, and whether the hose and basket that have been put out do not excessively flutter due to aerodynamic effects.The draw hose does not move at all because it is behind the flying airplane (the video from the receiver can be seen in the movie "Final Countdown").However, that is also a problem.If you get too fluffy, you can't contact you.On the receiver side, there are various confirmation items, such as opening and closing the lid of the aerial oil receptacle, the operation of the reseptacle itself, and the development and storage of the oil receiving probe.Helicopter has an elastic probe to avoid the main rotor, and this is one of the operation confirmation items, as it must be extended for a long time.Author Profile A technical writer who has been developing books centered on technical fields in various transportation and military fields such as Takashi Inoue Railway and Airlines.After working at Microsoft Co., Ltd., became independent in the spring of 1999.In addition to the development of information and communication technology, such as "Fighting Computers (V) 3" (Shikobo Hikarijin), they work on articles in various fields.In addition to Mynavi News, he has contributed to "military research", "circle", "Jwings", "air fans", "ships in the world", and "Shinkansen EX".

Takashi Inoue