Range Enhancement Equations for Various Refueling Options.

Abstract

This document presents a series of simplified equations and numerical calculations indicating the magnitude of range augmentation (or, equivalently, payload enhancement for a fixed range) that refueling by tankers can provide long range combat aircraft (LRCA). The treatment is theoretical and should apply to LRCAs of various design. Examined are several refueling conditions, including two pre-fueling tactics for the tanker and two post-fueling tactics for the tanker. In addition, the author considers both pre- and post-strike refueling for the LRCA, and indicates the potential advantages in range enhancement derived from dropping the payload along the LRCA's flight path. Finally, for analytic convenience, most of the derivations and calculations assume that the LRCA and tanker are equal-size, being derived from the same basic airframe and engine. (Author)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1982
Accession Number
ADA134769

Entities

People

  • R. D. Shaver

Organizations

  • RAND Corporation

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Aircraft Design
  • Aircrafts
  • Airframes
  • Airplanes
  • Differential Equations
  • Equations
  • Fighter Aircraft
  • Flight
  • Flight Paths
  • Fuel Tanks
  • Geometry
  • High Altitude
  • Jet Aircraft
  • Refueling
  • Tanker Aircraft
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Aerospace logistics and air mobility.
  • Missile Defense Systems.
  • Regression Analysis.

Technology Areas

  • Space