Auto probe/drouge refueling demonstration
11-24-2015, 03:20 AM
#1
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: FAA 'Flight Check'
Posts: 13,837
Auto probe/drouge refueling demonstration
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-Y7fhIasjM
Interesting concept and I imagine quite a few different ways to accomplish this feat; but I'm curious to the cost effectiveness of such a system, the perceived need (I'd much rather have had a precision approach capability), and the usefulness in other than benign weather conditions when that drouge is moving all over the place!
Interesting concept and I imagine quite a few different ways to accomplish this feat; but I'm curious to the cost effectiveness of such a system, the perceived need (I'd much rather have had a precision approach capability), and the usefulness in other than benign weather conditions when that drouge is moving all over the place!
11-24-2015, 04:02 AM
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2006
Position: Walmart Greeter
Posts: 694
Originally Posted by USMCFLYR
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-Y7fhIasjM
Interesting concept and I imagine quite a few different ways to accomplish this feat; but I'm curious to the cost effectiveness of such a system, the perceived need (I'd much rather have had a precision approach capability), and the usefulness in other than benign weather conditions when that drouge is moving all over the place!
Interesting concept and I imagine quite a few different ways to accomplish this feat; but I'm curious to the cost effectiveness of such a system, the perceived need (I'd much rather have had a precision approach capability), and the usefulness in other than benign weather conditions when that drouge is moving all over the place!
11-24-2015, 03:48 PM
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2015
Posts: 233
There is talks about this being done on other aircraft. They referenced the F18 demo and also X47. It wouldn't be that hard to implement with an optical tracker in a fly-by-wire aircraft. Reduce the number of ripped of probes or baskets, no more sour tankers, reduction in training.
11-24-2015, 05:26 PM
#4
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: FAA 'Flight Check'
Posts: 13,837
Originally Posted by BDGERJMN
I don't imagine this is being tested and developed for manned systems at all. I know some of UCAV DT&E systems were integrated into F-18s for carrier suitability simply to test the capabilities. USMC you know as well as I do, we'll never see ILS in an F-18 that isn't painted blue.
Even the SWWGs were migrating to JPALS before I left!
Not to worry though - I fly enough ILSs now to make up for all the lost time
Optical tracker huh?
Hmmmmm....like I said - I don't know anything about this system, but I'm remembering the times when the basket is bobbing and weaving like Floyd Mayweather and it takes a lot of timing, skill, with two pinches of luck just to get into the basket (after many failed approaches). Maybe it will end up being like the proverbial solar powered PARs
11-25-2015, 02:32 AM
#6
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2006
Position: Walmart Greeter
Posts: 694
Originally Posted by andrewtac
There is talks about this being done on other aircraft. They referenced the F18 demo and also X47. It wouldn't be that hard to implement with an optical tracker in a fly-by-wire aircraft. Reduce the number of ripped of probes or baskets, no more sour tankers, reduction in training.
As USMC said, I don't know that any auto refueling system is going to mitigate the 'moving target' aspect, much like we can't and don't use ACLS at the boat when the deck is pitching +/-10-15', it just doesn't work well. Neat concept though...would be nice to launch off the front end, couple up to the tanker before pressing on with the mission. Then again, how fun is that at night?
11-25-2015, 02:51 AM
#7
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2014
Posts: 161
11-25-2015, 07:06 AM
#8
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2015
Posts: 233
Originally Posted by BDGERJMN
I hear ya, I don't know the cost/benefit is worth spending a ton of money implementing a software/hardware(if needed) change to existing airframes for the amount of in-flight refueling mishaps that do occur.
As USMC said, I don't know that any auto refueling system is going to mitigate the 'moving target' aspect, much like we can't and don't use ACLS at the boat when the deck is pitching +/-10-15', it just doesn't work well. Neat concept though...would be nice to launch off the front end, couple up to the tanker before pressing on with the mission. Then again, how fun is that at night?
As USMC said, I don't know that any auto refueling system is going to mitigate the 'moving target' aspect, much like we can't and don't use ACLS at the boat when the deck is pitching +/-10-15', it just doesn't work well. Neat concept though...would be nice to launch off the front end, couple up to the tanker before pressing on with the mission. Then again, how fun is that at night?
I also don't think we are far from an airplane capability on the boat. Not sure while ACLS can't be used, I'll see what I can find out.
11-25-2015, 09:13 AM
#9
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: FAA 'Flight Check'
Posts: 13,837
Originally Posted by Brillo
That is the first video I've seen of a MV-22 refueling (and I'm assuming from another MV-22)? I don't recognize the setup from the viewer's sight picture.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
