'DSTAR' -- Direct Sea-to-Air Refueling (Inflight Refueling of Military Cargo Aircraft from Ships at Sea).

摘要

Preliminary analysis shows that military cargo and combat aircraft can refuel in five minutes directly from a tanker in the ocean (or a depot on land) by flying in a tight circle while connected to a refueling mast by means of a hose through which fuel is pumped. The aircraft need not carry a hose, cable, or winch. A bank angle of 45 deg, a circle of radius 400 m, pump pressure of 1500 psi, and aircraft altitude of 120 m allow DSTAR of aircraft from 25 to 350 tons gross. For a C-5A at 350 tons weight, the hose tension is 20 tons; for a 25-ton fighter a lighter hose is used. For the smaller aircraft the hose should be faired to reduce drag.