Novel Variable Speed Drogue Refueling (VSD)

A Variable Speed Aerial Refueling Store Drogue will reduce C-130 mission time to conduct low speed and high speed aerial refueling. This developmental task will explore novel canopy drogue configurations to meet the challenges of producing the necessary drag at 105 knots airspeed with a configuration that meets the demanding geometric interface requirements mandated by high speed refueling. Another technical challenge which will be addressed, in addition to producing the required drag at low speed, is reduced drag at 250 knots airspeed. Novel methods of reducing the drag coefficient of the drogue as speed increases will be developed. Various configurations will be modeled and wind tunnel tested to determine the best performing configuration.