CFTs have a reduced aerodynamic penalty compared to external drop tanks, and do not significantly increase an aircraft's radar cross-section. Another advantage CFTs provide is that they do not occupy ordnance hardpoints like drop tanks, allowing the aircraft to carry its full payload.
Disadvantagesedit
Conformal fuel tanks have the disadvantage that, unlike drop tanks, they cannot be discarded in flight, because they are plumbed into the aircraft and so can only be removed on the ground. As a result, they will impose a slight drag-penalty and minor weight gain on the aircraft even when the tanks are empty, without any benefit. They can also impose slight g-load limits, although not always an absolute issue: the CFTs on the F-15E actually allow the same maneuverability without g-limitations.
F-15C entered service with CFT capability.[1] Initially known as FAST packs (Fuel And Sensor Tactical),[1] each unit carried an additional 750 US gallons (2,839.1 L) of fuel,[2] while retaining hardpoints for four AIM-7F Sparrow missiles or bombs, some on the FAST packs.[3] They were first tested on the F-15B in 1974. All U.S. F-15Es, and Strike Eagle export variants such as the Israeli and Singapore models, are fitted with CFTs under the wing[4] outside the engine intake and require modification to fly without them.[5] The FAST pack was originally intended to carry a navigational and targeting infrared sensor system (thus "Fuel And Sensor"); however, the F-15 simply began carrying LANTIRN pods for ground-attack missions instead.[1]
Israeli F-16I Sufa, based on the F-16D Block 50/52+, with 2 attached CFTs on top of the aircraft near the wing root and 2 wing-mounted drop tanks.
Export aircraft for Greece, Chile, Israel, Poland, Pakistan, Turkey, Singapore, Morocco, Egypt and the UAE are plumbed for carriage of two CFTs mounted atop the aircraft near the wing root. Together they hold 450 US gallons (1,703.4 L), 3050lb of fuel.[6][7]
The F-CK-1D prototype ("Brave Hawk") and the F-CK-1C single-seater prototype are equipped with the new CFTs. The prototype Indigenous Defence Fighter II “Goshawk” has over-wing CFTs.[13]
Conformal fuel tanks are mounted above the wings to replace the drag of underwing tanks. Combined, they carry 1,590 kg (3,500 lb) of extra fuel, while adding extra lift and expanding combat radius by 130 nmi (240 km) with a small transonic acceleration penalty.[14][15]
Distended internal tanks are fuel tanks that either create a bulge in the fuselage, or are mounted flush with the fuselage.
English Electric Lightning[17] Conformal ventral store was used for a small or large belly fuel tank which bulges out from the underbody.
Gloster Javelin fitted with dual flush-mounted belly tanks with a capacity of 1,137 liters (300 US gallons). They were known as "bosom tanks" or "Sabrinas".[18][19]
conformal, fuel, tank, cfts, additional, fuel, tanks, fitted, closely, profile, aircraft, that, extend, endurance, aircraft, mcdonnell, douglas, strike, eagle, fitted, with, conformal, fuel, tanks, under, wing, rootsground, crew, handling, contents, advantages. Conformal fuel tanks CFTs are additional fuel tanks fitted closely to the profile of an aircraft that extend the endurance of the aircraft A McDonnell Douglas F 15E Strike Eagle fitted with conformal fuel tanks under the wing rootsGround crew handling the CFT of an F 15E Contents 1 Advantages 2 Disadvantages 3 Examples 3 1 Conformal fuel tanks 3 2 Distended internal tanks 4 ReferencesAdvantages editCFTs have a reduced aerodynamic penalty compared to external drop tanks and do not significantly increase an aircraft s radar cross section Another advantage CFTs provide is that they do not occupy ordnance hardpoints like drop tanks allowing the aircraft to carry its full payload Disadvantages editConformal fuel tanks have the disadvantage that unlike drop tanks they cannot be discarded in flight because they are plumbed into the aircraft and so can only be removed on the ground As a result they will impose a slight drag penalty and minor weight gain on the aircraft even when the tanks are empty without any benefit They can also impose slight g load limits although not always an absolute issue the CFTs on the F 15E actually allow the same maneuverability without g limitations Examples editConformal fuel tanks edit F 15C Eagle F 15E Strike EagleF 15C entered service with CFT capability 1 Initially known as FAST packs Fuel And Sensor Tactical 1 each unit carried an additional 750 US gallons 2 839 1 L of fuel 2 while retaining hardpoints for four AIM 7F Sparrow missiles or bombs some on the FAST packs 3 They were first tested on the F 15B in 1974 All U S F 15Es and Strike Eagle export variants such as the Israeli and Singapore models are fitted with CFTs under the wing 4 outside the engine intake and require modification to fly without them 5 The FAST pack was originally intended to carry a navigational and targeting infrared sensor system thus Fuel And Sensor however the F 15 simply began carrying LANTIRN pods for ground attack missions instead 1 nbsp Israeli F 16I Sufa based on the F 16D Block 50 52 with 2 attached CFTs on top of the aircraft near the wing root and 2 wing mounted drop tanks F 16C D Block 50 52 F 16E F Block 60 and F 16I SufaExport aircraft for Greece Chile Israel Poland Pakistan Turkey Singapore Morocco Egypt and the UAE are plumbed for carriage of two CFTs mounted atop the aircraft near the wing root Together they hold 450 US gallons 1 703 4 L 3050lb of fuel 6 7 Dassault RafaleTwo 1 150 litres 300 US gal CFTs were first tested by Dassault in April 2001 8 unreliable source Mikoyan MiG 29SMT MiG 29S Product 9 13 Mikoyan MiG 35One 950 litres 250 US gal CFTs in a further enlarged spine 9 10 Eurofighter TyphoonWind tunnel tested by BAE two CFTs with 1 500 litres 400 US gal capacity each 11 12 AIDC F CK 1 Ching kuoThe F CK 1D prototype Brave Hawk and the F CK 1C single seater prototype are equipped with the new CFTs The prototype Indigenous Defence Fighter II Goshawk has over wing CFTs 13 Advanced Super HornetConformal fuel tanks are mounted above the wings to replace the drag of underwing tanks Combined they carry 1 590 kg 3 500 lb of extra fuel while adding extra lift and expanding combat radius by 130 nmi 240 km with a small transonic acceleration penalty 14 15 Chengdu J 10Wind tunnel tested by Chengdu 16 BAC StrikemasterConformal fuel tanks were installed on the wingtips WWII Supermarine Spitfire in the belly Messerschmitt Bf 109 in the belly Messerschmitt Bf 110D 1 in the belly nicknamed Dackelbauch dachshund s belly Distended internal tanks edit Distended internal tanks are fuel tanks that either create a bulge in the fuselage or are mounted flush with the fuselage English Electric Lightning 17 Conformal ventral store was used for a small or large belly fuel tank which bulges out from the underbody Gloster Javelin fitted with dual flush mounted belly tanks with a capacity of 1 137 liters 300 US gallons They were known as bosom tanks or Sabrinas 18 19 Gloster Meteor 20 Shenyang J 6 Nanchang Q 5 Fantan weapons bay fuel tank extends below the fuselage profile 21 References editNotes a b c Joe Baugher 20 February 2000 McDonnell F 15C Eagle JoeBaugher Com Retrieved 2010 09 21 U S AIR FORCE F 15E Strike Eagle USAF military website April 15 2005 Green and Swanborough 1998 p 371 Lambert 1993 p 521 Joe Baugher 9 May 2004 McDonnell F 15E Eagle JoeBaugher Com Retrieved 2010 09 21 First phase of flight testing of the F 16 conformal fuel tanks completed www f 16 net L M and USAF Complete Flight Testing of F 16 Conformal Fuel Tanks www defense aerospace com Rafale B Fitted with Conformal Fuel Tanks Airforce technology com Retrieved 2010 11 09 How America And Iran Danced To The Brink of War Jalopnik 9 January 2020 Cenciotti David Russia just deployed its upgraded MiG 29 to Syria for the first time Business Insider BAE Systems begins new round of CFT trials for Typhoon Cenciotti David A Typhoon model fitted with conformal fuel tanks The Aviationist 22 April 2014 Cole Michael Jet deals to keep state owned firm busy Taipei Times 13 August 2011 Boeing Pitches Advanced Super Hornet For Future Threats Defense News Aviation International News ainonline com Retrieved 2015 09 03 Mizokami Kyle February 16 2018 The F A 18 Super Hornet Is About to Fly Farther Than Ever Before Popular Mechanics Chinese J 10 Fighter With Conformal Fuel Tanks CFT s In Wind Tunnel Testing ASIAN DEFENCE NEWS asian defence net Archived from the original on 2012 07 24 Retrieved 2015 09 03 Thunder amp Lightnings English Electric Lightning Pictures Profiles Thunder and lightnings co uk 2009 08 11 Retrieved 2010 11 09 The Gloster Javelin the full story from concept to service Archived from the original on 2007 10 27 Retrieved 2015 09 03 Image xh712 jpg 800 533 px thunder and lightnings co uk Retrieved 2015 09 03 Meteor2 Aviationmuseum com au 2008 07 19 Archived from the original on 2010 09 20 Retrieved 2010 11 09 Image SinoDefence com Archived from the original on 2010 07 28 Retrieved 2010 11 09 Green William and Gordon Swanborough The Complete Book of Fighters New York Barnes amp Noble Inc 1988 ISBN 0 7607 0904 1 Lambert Mark ed Jane s All the World s Aircraft 1993 94 Alexandria Virginia Jane s Information Group Inc 1993 ISBN 0 7106 1066 1 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Conformal fuel tank amp oldid 1158204619, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
