Why US Navy and US Air Force Use Different Refueling Methods

Why US Navy and US Air Force Use Different Refueling Methods

American fighter jets cannot cross the Atlantic without aerial refueling, which can be done in two ways. The first method involves a flying boom controlled by a boom operator, requiring three pilots: one flying the tanker, another in the receiving aircraft, and the third maneuvering the boom. The second method uses a flexible hose and a basket trailing behind the tanker, with the receiving aircraft using a probe to connect. However, these two sy…