The specialists of TsAGI’s department of aerodynamics of aircraft and missiles in cooperation with NPP Zvezda have completed another stage of testing of the guided drogue of the aerial-refueling pod, TsAGI’s press-service reports.

The studies were carried out using TsAGI’s T-102 subsonic wind tunnel. The experiments were aimed at development of fully-automated aerial refueling system. The studies are being carried out in the network of agreement on cooperative work signed by TsAGi and NPP Zvezda. This system will allow performing long-range flights using medium-haul aircraft. Such technology helps reduce the fuel consumption and emission level by 20-25% as compared to performing similar flights using long-haul aircraft, the press-service explained.

«The major problem preventing the civil aviation from using aerial refueling is provision of required safety level. This problem may be solved only by means of developing the fully-automated aerial refueling system providing the required probability of successful refueling», — the leading researcher of TsAGi’s department of aerodynamics of aircraft and missiles, Candidate of Science, Alexander Klimin, said.

The specialists studied the control elements made in the form of retractable flaps located on the housing of the drogue. The flaps increase drogue’s stability in the disturbed airflow caused by atmosphere turbulence and movement of the tanker and the receiving aircraft. The test results confirm the possibility of developing efficient fully-automated aerial refueling system, the press-service noted.