F-16 Gets A Drogue-Probe

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F-16's Drogue-Probe Style Air Refueling System:

It's remarkable that the Lockheed Martin F-16, despite being exported worldwide for 35 years, can't be refueled except by the handful of air forces that fly boom-equipped tankers. Cobham's Sargent-Fletcher division demonstrated a modified 370 gal wing tank a few years ago that housed a retractable probe, apparently for Israel, but as far as is known it was not adopted.

This aerial refueling system, referred to as CARTS, for conformal air refuel tank system, allows the F-16 to refuel from probe-and-drogue refueling systems.

 

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The development of the conformal aerial refueling tank sytem was led by the Lockheed Martin Skunk Works and began in July 2007.

 

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This aerial refueling system allows the F-16 to refuel from probe-and-drogue refueling systems. The system is called CARTS, for conformal air refuel tank system.

 

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The probe telescopically extends and retracts from a purpose-built right-side forward conformal fuel tank. The right aft section and complete left-side conformal fuel tanks require no change. The mechanically driven probe quickly extends the nozzle to its fully extended position just in front of the front pilot’s eye position.