An IAF Embraer transport aircraft, specialised to conduct airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) function, successfully carried out an air-to- air refuelling (AAR), to fly for a longer duration beyond the plane's stated endurance, the Air Force said today.
It is also the first time that AAR has been carried out on the Embraer platform. The normal stated endurance of the aircraft is hours and with the AAR it can generate an additional four hours.
"The 'Probe and Drogue' air-to-air refuelling methodology practiced by IAF pilots requires exceptional flying skills as the receiving aircraft has to accurately insert the receptacle probe into the basket-shaped drogue trailing behind the fuel tanker aircraft," a statement by the IAF said.
During the process of an air-to-air refuelling, both the aircraft have to maintain extremely accurate flying parameters.
The IAF is one of the few air forces in the world to demonstrate this capability.
"A mere 10-minute in-flight refuelling can generate additional four hours of flying endurance," the statement added.
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