Press Release: The World’s Only 5th Generation Boom

In 1948, Boeing invented the “flying boom,” a long telescoping tube with its own small set of wings and telescope control that boom operators used to plug the fuel nozzle into the receiving aircraft. The large diameter of the flying boom enabled tankers to offload fuel at a much faster rate compared with “hose and drogue” systems, making it possible to refuel bomber and cargo aircraft all in a matter of minutes.

Building on 60 years of development and innovation, Boeing is still the leader in boom technology, currently delivering aircraft to Japan with a fifth-generation boom. This same boom will be offered to the U.S. Air Force for its KC-7A7 tankers.

Boeing’s fifth-generation boom makes several improvements over previous refueling booms, including:

• An advanced fly-by-wire system offering more precise and reliable boom control
• Well-developed control laws that give the boom rock-solid flying characteristics
• The Automatic Load Alleviation System, which automatically sends flight commands to the boom ruddevators to alleviate forces on the boom and reduce boom operator workload
• The full-time Independent Disconnect System eliminates the danger of damage to the boom or the receiver aircraft. Allowing the boom operator to retract the boom nozzle from the receiver aircraft receptacle independent of the state of the receiver boom latches
• Reduced maintenance requirements.

When it comes to refueling, it’s all about the boom. Boeing’s fifth-generation, state-of-the-art refueling boom improves the ease and reliability of in-flight refueling, allowing receiver aircraft to successfully complete their missions.