Fighter planes roaring in the desert... Enemy piled up in the air: Indo-French Air Force maneuvers; Fuel filled in the sky in Rafale flying at 400kmph speed

Posted on 1st Nov 2022 by rohit kumar

The joint exercise of the Indian and French Air Force started in Jodhpur. The exercise, which began on October 26, will continue till November 12. Through this war practice, the pilots of the Air Force of both countries are sharing their experiences.

 

In this practice, fighter planes of both countries are taking training to hit the target in the air and most especially mid-air refueling, that is, filling fuel from one plane to another in the air itself. The special thing is that at a speed of 400kmph, fuel is being filled in the air itself in 5 fighter planes including Rafale and a huge helicopter.

 

this is the process

Mid-air refueling tests the skills of pilots of both aircraft receiving and delivering oil. The first fighter jet is brought equal to the speed of an air tanker. After this, a distance of about 100 feet is maintained between the two. After this, the oil-filling process starts. During this, the pilots of both aircraft are constantly in contact with each other.

 

Rafale was refueled in the air

Most of the fighter jets in India have the facility of mid-air refueling. Rafael from France had reached India without staying anywhere. On the way, Qatar's tanker refueled them in the air. Similarly, Tejas developed in the country can also fill oil from air to air.

 

This is why mid-air refueling is done

To increase the range of any fighter jet, mid-air refueling is done in it. Its advantage is that the fighter jet takes off seven times with less oil and more weapons. After this, more fuel is filled in the sky. Doing this not only increases the range but he can also carry heavier weapons. Refueling is usually only used in fighter jets during combat. It is not used in civil aviation.

 

This is how coordination happens

An oil tanker and a fighter jet are two completely different types of planes. To pick up the oil, the fighter first comes at a speed similar to that of the tanker, maintaining a distance of one hundred feet or less. During this, both pilots remain in constant contact. While flying in Assam, any plane keeps changing the air pressure in its surroundings. In such a situation, when two different types of aircraft come close, they have to face the pressure of each other aircraft. The bigger the tanker, the higher its pressure. Keeping all these things in mind, the skill of the pilot is tested only in maintaining the same altitude and air speed of about 300 miles per hour over the same distance continuously.

 

Then the oil-filling process starts

After this, the oil-filling process starts. Oil is filled in two ways. Probe and Drog or Flange Boom Process. In this, the drogue tied in front of a long pipe comes out from the tanker. It gets attached to the probe of the fighter jet. A magnetic pressure system is used for this. The magnetic pressure is so strong that the drag moves automatically toward the probe. Well-controlled by an operator sitting in the tanker.

 

Two to three fighters can be filled with oil simultaneously from a tanker. The oil filling speed is very fast. The fighters are filled with oil within fifteen minutes. During this, the most important thing is that both planes fly at the same speed. As soon as there is a slight difference in speed, the connection between the probe and drone breaks, and then an attempt has to be made to connect it again. Once the oil is full, the pilot disconnects the connection between the drone and the probe. During this, the utmost care has to be taken. So that both the drone and the probe can be safely brought back inside the aircraft.

 

this is the record

Mid-air refueling is used to realize long-range missions. During an operation, two American B-2 bombers returned after traveling twelve thousand miles without stopping. During this several times, mid-air refueling was done. Refueling was done with the help of fifteen tankers from five strategic bases located on three continents of America. By doing this, America had tried to send the message that no corner of the world is untouched by their JD.

 

Here, France trying to sell tankers to India

In this exercise, France has sent its multi-role tanker Transport A-330 with a Rafale fighter jet. It is considered to be the best tanker. Also, it can be used for other work as well. France is trying to sell it to India. Talks are also going on between the two countries in this regard. Two years ago, in the maneuvers of both the Air Force in Jodhpur, Desert Night was also sent. During that time the then Chief of Defense Staff General Bipin Rawat traveled in this tanker and tested its capability closely. It is also being heavily used in the present maneuvers.

 

different formations

In this exercise, apart from French Rafale, Indian Rafale, Sukhoi, Jaguar, and Tejas, light combat helicopters Rudra, AWACS aircraft, and fast refueling tankers are participating. The group of these aircraft is divided into two parts. One enemy and one host. After this begins the struggle in the sky.

 

In the sky, both decide their respective limits. Now the struggle to enter it begins. Entering enemy territory not only has to strike the imaginary target but also has to return safely while defending oneself from the fighters of the enemy country. In this way, different groups are practiced several times a day.

 

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