As an EA-6B guy, I always prefer the nice KC-10 centerline basket. My next
favorite is either WARP or MPRS, however, you do not have enough lateral
trim to compensate for the roll induced by airflow off of the tanker's wing.
So, your arm can get tired and you may not be as smooth as you would like.
But, the wingtip refueling systems are better than the iron maiden during
turbulence once you are in the basket. Although, I have had some rough
KC-135 pilots whip into a 40 degree AOB turn at night and try to rip my
probe off with the maiden basket. Of course, they told me before hand that
the previous receiver had his probe ripped off just ten minutes prior. I
did not think much of it before the big honking turns since I was over Iraq
and had to get back on station to cover rest of my vul. It all worked out
but I remember being fairly frustrated with the tanker pilot. So, my
choices for non-organic tanking is centerline drogue, wingtip drogue and
then KC-135 Iron Maiden.
On another note though, I am disappointed with the lend/lease fiasco from a
few years ago that has delayed suitable replacements to the strategic tanker
force.

Moe


"Joe Delphi" wrote in message
news:ODSpg.10012$6w.7545@fed1read11...
"Guy Alcala" wrote in message
. ..

But seriously folks .....an IR LED on the probe with a receiver on the
basket - should do the trick - with appropriate software & control
surfaces,
of course.

So, do any of our local experts who've BTDT think any of this would be
worthwhile, or are they satisfied with the current capability?


I am sure that there is a defense contractor out there who thinks this
idea is worthwhile....

JD