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Raptor gets green light on refueling capability

02/07/02 - EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFPN) -- The F-22 Combined Test Force here expanded the Raptor's operational capability by certifying the aircraft for "hot-pit" refueling operations recently.

After nearly five months of research, training and demonstrations, certification will allow the F-22 to be refueled on the ground while the engines are operating.

The new certification is a first for the F-22 program and expands the current operational capability of the platform, said 1st Lt. Roy Recker, chief of F-22 logistics test and evaluation.

Most often, hot-pit refueling is done on a parking pad, adjacent to the aircraft runways, Recker said. After hot refueling, the F-22 can return to the skies, to continue expanding the flight and avionics envelope.

Hot refueling is not a new concept, Recker said.

"Many fighter units employ hot refueling operations in conjunction with rearming and reloading ordnance, also known as an integrated combat turn," he said. "Together, integrated combat turns and hot refueling get the airplane back in the air in minimum time."

The Raptor was initially scheduled for integrated combat turn certification after April 2003, during the dedicated initial operational test and evaluation phase of testing. However, hot-pit refueling tests have been brought forward in the test schedule as an initiative to add flexibility in test execution when tanker support may not be available, Recker said.

"When tankers are down for maintenance or sometimes not available because of real-world operational requirements, hot-pit refueling allows for multiple sorties per test mission," Recker said. "Although test missions with airborne tanker support are more efficient, hot-pit refueling between several sorties will go a long way towards providing the needed flight hours per test mission."

For the F-22 test force, earning the hot-pit refueling certification meant meeting three phases of requirements. In the first phase, the physical location of the hot refueling operation is certified to ensure it meets ground safety and fire department requirements, Recker said.

The second phase certifies that the maintenance, fire department and fuels people involved in the operation have been properly and safely trained. They must attend academic classes, pass written tests and do multiple "dry run" refueling scenarios, Recker said.

The third and final phase certifies the aircraft is in the proper configuration to be refueled while the engines are running.

Aircraft that operate in hot-pit refueling areas also undergo a brief, but thorough safety check upon landing to ensure the aircraft is ready to be refueled and can return to the air, Recker said.

"The aircraft and operator benefit from two different crews giving the plane these quick inspections before, during and after hot refueling operations," Recker said.