Aircraft

Boeing has demonstrated extension and retraction of the hoses from the Smiths Aerospace wing aerial refueling pods (WARP) during flight testing of its KC-767 tanker.

This follows first deployment of the Smiths-supplied centerline hose drum unit in February.

The self-contained pod includes a ram air turbine to generate hydraulic power, and digital flight controls to manage hose tension and improve stability.

Smiths says its hydraulically powered hose reel has demonstrated response rates exceeding the required 3.05m/sc (10ft/s) probe-to-drogue closure rate. The first KC-767 will be delivered to Japan this month, with the first Italian aircraft following by year-end.