Conformal fuel tank explained

Conformal fuel tanks (CFTs) are additional fuel tanks fitted closely to the profile of an aircraft that extend the endurance of the aircraft.

Advantages

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.

Disadvantages

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.

Examples

Conformal fuel tanks

F-15C entered service with CFT capability.[1] Initially known as FAST packs (Fuel And Sensor Tactical),[1] each unit carried an additional 750gal 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]

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 450gal, 3050lb of fuel.[6] [7]

Two 1150L CFTs were first tested by Dassault in April 2001.[8]

One 950L CFTs in a further enlarged spine.[9] [10]

Wind tunnel tested by BAE, two CFTs with 1500L capacity each.[11] [12]

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]

Wind tunnel tested by Chengdu.[16]

Distended internal tanks

Distended internal tanks are fuel tanks that either create a bulge in the fuselage, or are mounted flush with the fuselage.

References

Notes

Notes and References

  1. Web site: McDonnell F-15C Eagle. Joe. Baugher. 20 February 2000. JoeBaugher.Com. 2010-09-21.
  2. U.S. AIR FORCE "F-15E Strike Eagle" USAF military website, April 15, 2005.
  3. Green and Swanborough 1998, p. 371.
  4. Lambert 1993, p. 521.
  5. Web site: McDonnell F-15E Eagle. Joe. Baugher. 9 May 2004. JoeBaugher. Com. 2010-09-21.
  6. Web site: First phase of flight testing of the F-16 conformal fuel tanks completed. www.f-16.net.
  7. Web site: L- M and USAF Complete Flight-Testing of F-16 Conformal Fuel Tanks. www.defense-aerospace.com.
  8. Web site: Dassault reveals conformal tanks . FlightGlobal . 14 May 2024.
  9. Web site: How America And Iran Danced To The Brink of War. Jalopnik. 9 January 2020 .
  10. Web site: Russia just deployed its upgraded MiG-29 to Syria for the first time. David. Cenciotti. Business Insider.
  11. Web site: BAE Systems begins new round of CFT trials for Typhoon.
  12. Cenciotti, David. "A Typhoon model fitted with conformal fuel tanks" The Aviationist, 22 April 2014.
  13. Cole, Michael. "Jet deals to keep state-owned firm busy" Taipei Times, 13 August 2011.
  14. Web site: Boeing Pitches 'Advanced Super Hornet' For Future Threats | Defense News: Aviation International News. ainonline.com. 2015-09-03. 2014-11-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20141112191944/http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/dubai-air-show/2013-11-15/boeing-pitches-advanced-super-hornet-future-threats. dead.
  15. . The F/A-18 Super Hornet Is About to Fly Farther Than Ever Before . Kyle . Mizokami . February 16, 2018.
  16. Web site: Chinese J-10 Fighter With Conformal Fuel Tanks CFT's In Wind Tunnel Testing – ASIAN DEFENCE NEWS . asian-defence.net . 2015-09-03 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120724114154/http://www.asian-defence.net/2011/02/chinese-j-10-fighter-with-conformal.html . 2012-07-24 .
  17. Web site: Thunder & Lightnings – English Electric Lightning – Pictures – Profiles . Thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk . 2009-08-11 . 2010-11-09.
  18. Web site: The Gloster Javelin – the full story from concept to service . https://web.archive.org/web/20071027112013/http://www.wingweb.co.uk/aircraft/The_Gloster_Javelin.html . 2007-10-27 . dead . 2015-09-03.
  19. Web site: Image: xh712.jpg, (800 × 533 px). thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk. 2015-09-03.
  20. Web site: Meteor2 . Aviationmuseum.com.au . 2008-07-19 . 2010-11-09 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100920184559/http://www.aviationmuseum.com.au/aircraft/Meteor2.cfm . 2010-09-20 .
  21. Web site: Image . SinoDefence.com . 2010-11-09 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100728093216/http://www.sinodefence.com/airforce/groundattack/showimage.asp?imagename=q5_09large . 2010-07-28 .

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