Originally Posted by
nipva
Thank you all for your replies but my main question 'Does the KC135 boom have the facility to lock into the receiver's refuelling receptacle?' remains unanswered. I assume that this facility must exist in some form in order to be able to tow but surely there must be some form of weak link in the boom assembly to protect the boom assembly (and the tanker) if the load becomes excessive. Clearly this facility is one advantage over the probe/drogue system. .
Hi nipva. Yes, the boom is locked into the receiving receptacle. This is done by a hydraulically powered mechanism. And yes, there is a frangible link in the boom that will break. There are many stories of the end being left behind in the receptacle. The receiving aircraft I have worked with also have a system to force boom ejection if refuel pressure is excessive. I think around 75psi.
I don’t think the locking mechanism was ever intended to support towing an aircraft though.