Sunday, September 07, 2014

Photo of the day: J-15 refuel buddy


Saturday, January 04, 2014

J-15's buddy centerline refueling store

Here is one potential solution to the challenge of limited takeoff weight and range of Short take-off but arrested-recovery (STOBAR) carrier borne aircraft -- Give them a “hard point mounted fuel pod with a hose-and-drogue system” (a.k.a buddy store) This arrangement  allows carrier borne aircraft to increase their combat range as well as their take-off weight without the need of a dedicated tanker support.


Judging from the following public release photos of China’s Shenyang J-15 Flying Shark, such a buddy store is available to the Chinese Naval Aviators, assuming that they have mastered the mid-air refueling techniques of course. Given the fact that the J15 is based on the Russian SU-33, the Shangyang buddy store bears resemblance to the UPAZ-1A Sakhalin centerline refueling store series currently available in the international arms market.








SU-33's UPAZ-1A at play
 



3 comments:

H Danny said...

It seems odd to be fueling at such low elevation.

Coatepeque said...

Just a photo op

MadSam said...

The refuelling takes place immediately after take offs, it’s to overcome the issue of inability of taking off with full load of armaments and fuel on STOBAR.