Ameer Randolph
Fighter jets use a combination of internal and external fuel tanks to power their engines. External tanks, also known as drop tanks, wing tanks, or belly tanks, are commonly used on military aircraft and occasionally on civilian aircraft. They are designed to be discarded when empty or in emergencies to reduce drag, weight, and increase manoeuvrability. Internal fuel tanks are typically located in the fuselage in front of the pilot's knees, and they use a flexible hose with a weight attached to draw fuel from the bottom of the tank. Some fighter jets also use fuel bladders, which are bags inside the tank that collapse as fuel is used, and fuel pumps to maintain constant pressure and access fuel during inverted flight.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Drop tank, external tank, wing tank, belly tank |
| Usage | Used to describe auxiliary fuel tanks externally carried by aircraft |
| Jettisoning | Often capable of being jettisoned, especially in combat or emergency situations |
| Drawbacks | Imposes a drag penalty on the aircraft, increases moment of inertia, reduces roll rates for air maneuvers, reduces weapon-carrying capacity |
| Advantages | Allows fighter aircraft to carry additional fuel for long-range flights without requiring a larger, heavier fuselage |
| Examples | Mitsubishi A5M, Mitsubishi A6M Zero, Supermarine Spitfires, F-16, F-18 |
| Fuel Usage | Fuel in drop tanks is consumed first, then fuel selector is switched to the airplane's internal tanks |
| Design | Made of glue-impregnated kraft paper or light alloy |
| Fuel Pumping Methods | Flop tube design, ullage motor, flexible pickup, maneuvering can, fuel bladder, feeder tank, pressure carb, fuel injection |
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What You'll Learn
- External tanks, or drop tanks, are commonplace on fighter jets
- Drop tanks are expendable and can be jettisoned to reduce drag and increase manoeuvrability
- Fuel bladders, or bags inside the tank, are used to maintain pressure and prevent sloshing
- Some fighter jets use a pump to maintain constant pressure and enable inverted flight
- External tanks can be refilled during in-flight refuelling
External tanks, or drop tanks, are commonplace on fighter jets
Drop tanks were first used on 5 March 1923. They were later used during the Spanish Civil War to allow fighter aircraft to carry additional fuel for long-range flights without requiring a larger, heavier fuselage. The Mitsubishi A5M, designed by Jiro Horikoshi, began carrying an external underside drop tank in 1937. During World War II, the Luftwaffe introduced a 300-litre light alloy model for the Ju 87R, a long-range version of the Stuka dive bomber. The Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter also used this type of drop tank, starting with the Bf 109E-7 variant introduced in August 1940.
The Allies commonly used drop tanks to allow fighters increased range and patrol time over continental Europe. The RAF used external fuel tanks in 1942 during the transit of Supermarine Spitfires to Malta. The Imperial Japanese Navy's Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter included endurance with drop tanks of two hours at full power or six to eight hours at cruising speed. Drop tanks were commonly used with the Zero, even on combat air patrol.
During wartime metal shortages, the British developed drop tanks made of glue-impregnated kraft paper, which had excellent tolerance characteristics for extreme heat and cold. These papier-mâché tanks were strictly single-use, as the glue would slowly dissolve from the solvent effects of the fuel. They were used in typically chilly Northern European conditions, filled immediately before takeoff, and jettisoned in the event of an aborted mission.
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Drop tanks are expendable and can be jettisoned to reduce drag and increase manoeuvrability
Fighter planes, like most aircraft, use drop tanks to carry extra fuel. Drop tanks are also known as external, wing, or belly tanks. They are expendable and can be jettisoned to reduce drag and increase manoeuvrability.
The use of drop tanks allows fighter planes to extend their range and patrol time. The first drop tanks were designed to be discarded when empty or in the event of combat or emergency. This helps to reduce drag and weight, and increase manoeuvrability.
Drop tanks are typically used on military aircraft, but can also be found on civilian aircraft, although these are less likely to be discarded unless in an emergency. The fuel in drop tanks is usually consumed first, and only when it is depleted is the fuel selector switched to the aircraft's internal tanks.
The use of drop tanks can impact the performance of an aircraft. They increase the moment of inertia, reducing roll rates for air manoeuvres. Additionally, the added drag and weight of the tank require some of the fuel to be used to overcome these effects.
The design and construction of drop tanks have evolved over time. During World War II, due to metal shortages, the British developed drop tanks made of glue-impregnated kraft paper. These paper tanks had excellent tolerance for extreme temperatures and were waterproof. However, they were single-use as the glue would dissolve over time due to the solvent effects of the fuel.
Overall, drop tanks play a crucial role in extending the range and capabilities of fighter planes, and their expendable nature allows pilots to reduce drag and increase manoeuvrability when needed.
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Fuel bladders, or bags inside the tank, are used to maintain pressure and prevent sloshing
Fuel bladders, also known as fuel cells or collapsible fuel tanks, are flexible containers designed for the safe storage and transportation of various types of fuels. They are constructed from rubber and plastic, which provides excellent resistance to different climatic conditions. They are compatible with various fuels, including gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and crude oil. Fuel bladders are often used in the aviation industry to store and transport fuel at remote airports and airfields, ensuring a constant supply for aircraft. They are also employed as auxiliary fuel storage bags on aircraft to prevent leakage.
One of the key advantages of fuel bladders is their ability to adapt to changing fuel volumes due to their flexible properties. This helps to reduce the chances of fuel sloshing and evaporation, allowing for more effective fuel utilization and making them an eco-friendly option. The flexibility of fuel bladders also enables them to be collapsed when empty, making them easier to store compared to rigid metal tanks. Additionally, they are cost-effective, relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and simple to maintain.
In the context of fighter planes, fuel bladders can be utilized within external or internal fuel tanks to maintain pressure and prevent sloshing. External fuel tanks, also known as drop tanks, are commonly used on fighter aircraft to provide additional fuel capacity. These external tanks can be discarded in-flight to reduce drag, weight, and increase manoeuvrability. Fighter planes, such as the F-18 Hornet, typically prioritize drawing fuel from these external tanks first, ensuring maximum internal fuel reserves if the external tanks need to be dropped.
Internal fuel tanks on fighter planes may also incorporate fuel bladders to maintain pressure and prevent sloshing. By utilizing the principle of air pressure inside the bladder, the fuel can be drawn up and transferred efficiently without the need for additional pumping devices. This design allows for quick refuelling and eliminates the need for dedicated storage space, making it ideal for fighter planes with limited space constraints.
Overall, fuel bladders play a crucial role in maintaining pressure and preventing sloshing in fighter plane fuel tanks, contributing to the aircraft's performance, manoeuvrability, and fuel efficiency. Their flexible and adaptable nature makes them a valuable asset in the aviation industry, particularly for fighter planes with demanding operational requirements.
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Some fighter jets use a pump to maintain constant pressure and enable inverted flight
Fighter jets have fuel tanks in the wings or the fuselage. Some jets have both internal and external fuel tanks. The F-16, for example, has seven internal fuel tanks and can carry three external tanks. Usually, fuel in the external tanks is consumed first, and only when all the fuel in the external tanks has been used, the fuel selector is switched to the airplane's internal tanks.
Fighter jets use various methods to maintain constant pressure and enable inverted flight. Some jets use fuel injection instead of a carburetor, as carburetors cannot meter fuel when inverted. Aerobatic aircraft with the fuel tank in the fuselage use a "flop tube", a flexible hose with a weight at one end, to draw fuel from the tank. When the aircraft rolls inverted, the weighted end moves to the top of the tank, with the fuel. This ensures that the fuel and flop tube always end up in the same spot, regardless of the aircraft's attitude.
Aircraft with fuel tanks in the wings may use a "header tank", a small tank connected to the wing tanks. In normal flight, fuel gravity-feeds down to fill the header tank, which is connected to the suction side of the fuel pump. Some jets may also use boost and ejector pumps to provide positive pressure to centrally-located tanks. Baffles, or dividers, in the tank can prevent fuel from sloshing around and maintain balance.
Additionally, constant-speed propellers can help maintain engine speed during inverted flight. A governor, an engine-driven pump, monitors engine rpm and uses oil pressure to vary the pitch of the blades to maintain that rpm, regardless of changes in airspeed or power settings.
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External tanks can be refilled during in-flight refuelling
Fighter planes can carry external fuel tanks, also known as drop tanks, wing tanks, or belly tanks. These tanks are expendable and can often be jettisoned in the event of an emergency or combat to reduce drag, weight, and increase manoeuvrability. The fuel in these external tanks is typically used first, and once depleted, the aircraft switches to its internal tanks.
Fighter jets such as the F-15 and F-16 commonly require multiple aerial refuellings during long-distance flights, such as transatlantic crossings. The external tanks on these aircraft are typically refuelled through a single connection with the tanker aircraft. Pilots can also switch the fuel feed from external to internal tanks as needed during flight.
The use of external tanks and aerial refuelling allows fighter aircraft to carry additional fuel for extended-range flights or to accommodate for heavier payloads, such as additional bombs and rockets. This capability enhances the operational flexibility and endurance of fighter jets, enabling them to undertake diverse missions and remain airborne for longer periods.
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Frequently asked questions
Fighter planes have multiple fuel tanks, including external tanks, internal tanks, and feed tanks. External tanks are used to extend the plane's range and are dropped when empty, in combat, or in an emergency. Internal tanks are located in the fuselage, generally between the cockpit and the engine bays. Feed tanks are always filled from other fuel tanks throughout the aircraft.
External fuel tanks, also known as drop tanks, are used to extend the range of fighter planes. They are typically discarded when empty or in the event of combat or emergency to reduce drag, weight, and increase maneuverability.
Internal fuel tanks are located in the fuselage of the fighter plane, generally between the cockpit and the engine bays. The fuselage tank is kept as full as possible at all times and has multiple inlets for the pump that feeds the engines.
Feed fuel tanks are smaller tanks within the feeding system that are always filled from other fuel tanks throughout the aircraft. These tanks ensure a consistent pressure in the system, even if the fuel intake from the main tank is inconsistent.
Fighter planes have negative and zero G time limits to reduce the risk of fuel starvation and ensure proper circulation of oil. Most maneuvers are performed at positive G, which helps maintain positive pressure in the tanks and proper feeding of the pumps. Baffles and dividers in the tanks also slow the movement of the fuel.
