Always seemed to work okay from my E-3D!!!
Not sure about Buddy AR and F-35. I doubt whether the C will get it as the FA-18 will be able to carry more gas. As the USMC have never had it, I doubt whether the B will get it either.
Obviously, buddy AR is only really used to top up aircraft in the immediate vicinity of mother when the deck is black etc. Even the USN S-3B only ever ventured as far as the very southern bit of the driveways during OEF. Only 'real' tankers can provide the offload required for formations.
As the RN have not had such a capability since 78, it may be difficult to get past the financiers. However, let's hope we do get such a capability although I suspect there'll be bigger fish to fry in the foreseeable future!!
Maybe this could provide more weight for a dual purchase of EV-22 MASC and KV-22 AR for CVF? If only...
Off to dust off my copy of ATP-34!!!!!
Regards,
MM