Israel Aerospace Industries' Bedek division is evaluating the design of a "boom-less" system that will enable an in-flight refuelling tanker to refuel three fighters simultaneously.
According to Jack Gaber, senior vice-president for marketing and business development, the idea is based on replacing the tail boom with a flexible hose that will be connected to three aerodynamic surfaces, "like small unmanned air vehicles". Each surface will be fly-by-wire controlled, so that it enables the safe simultaneous refuelling of three aircraft.
"At this stage this is one of the designs we evaluate for future conversions of civil airliners to aerial tankers," Gaber says.
Last year, the Brazilian air force selected IAI for the conversion of two Boeing 767-300ER commercial aircraft for the in-flight refuelling mission. The contract also includes options for two additional aircraft. The modified 767s will replace the service's now-retired 707-derived KC-137s.
IAI has also previously converted an ex-commercial 767 into a tanker/transport for the Colombian air force.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
