Innovative Aerial Refueling Hose Stowage Methods

Triton Systems will develop an aerial refueling hose design for the US Navy that reduces the space required to stow the hose on tanker aircraft, while maintaining fuel flow and structural performance requirements. It is intended for use with the Aerial Refueling Store (ARS) 31-301-48310 or “buddy stores” on the F/A-18 tanker. The proposed design allows for either reduced overall size of the current system, or, increased length of hose in the existing stowage volume. It will be compatible with existing hose couplings and be compatible with existing systems to jettison (cut) the hose in flight as a failure mode. Fuel flow performance of up to 350 Gallons per Minute at 60 PSI will be maintained. The design will not increase fuel flow velocities to the point where surge pressure will exceed 120 PSI, and fuel flow velocities will be kept below 20 feet/second to minimize effects associated with static electricity. Triton’s technical approach will combine our in-house materials science and mechanical design experience with our partner’s military fuel hose design experience.  Small hose prototypes will be manufactured during Phase I to verify compact stowage, deployed axial stiffness, and ability to complete multiple cycles. Phase II efforts will focus on creating and testing full scale prototypes to meet the US Navy’s requirements, such as strength, fatigue, fuel flow/ pressure, and hose reel operation and performance.