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Old 26th Jul 2016, 03:23
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Um... lifting...
 
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Just back of the envelope of course, but I should imagine there'd be all manner of nasty aerodynamic effects upon the hose / drogue for helicopters of whatever type, not to mention that pesky tail rotor on the lead ship.

Helicopters in formation typically fly with step-up as opposed to step-down as do the planks for just that reason (also it's easier to look downward in most helicopters than in most planks due to the positioning of the glazing). I see little advantage over using a C-130 or other turboprop where there's all sorts of room for tanks & other machinery and plumbing. Most tankers have a lot more range than what they are fueling (I except carrier-based tankers) and far greater fuel capacity.

Rotor downwash on the hose and on one's own rotor while bringing the hose under one's own rotor... I shan't sleep tonight for thinking about it.
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