Aerial refueling
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Aerial refueling, also referred to as air refueling, in-flight refueling (IFR), air-to-air refueling (AAR), and tanking, is the process of transferring aviation fuel from one aircraft to another while both aircraft are in flight. The two main refueling systems are probe-and-drogue, which is simpler to adapt to existing aircraft, and the flying boom, which offers faster fuel transfer, but requires a dedicated boom operator station.
A KC-135 Stratotanker refuels an F-16 Fighting Falcon using a flying boom
Capt. Lowell Smith and Lt. John P. Richter receiving the first mid-air refueling on 27 June 1923
The US Air Force Boeing B-50 Superfortress Lucky Lady II being refueled by grappled-line looped-hose during the first non-stop circumnavigation of the world by air (1949)
Dutch Air Force KC-10 refueling boom
Vickers Virginia
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The Vickers Virginia was a biplane heavy bomber of the British Royal Air Force, developed from the Vickers Vimy.
Vickers Virginia in flight