Black River Engineering proposes to develop a fuel probe component that detects and responds to onset of stress overload so as to absorb the loads while dampening the loads in the refueling probe. Phase I will extend current model for aerial refuel simulation, analysis) on the stress loads transferred from the tanker to the receiver, and vice versa, in an overload situation. Document the critical loadings. Develop an innovative concept that will be flexible to protect an aircraft platform against excessive stress loads to an air refueling probe assembly by dissipating those loads without detaching from the probe mast assembly.
Keywords: Aerial Refueling Probe, Hose Whip, Stress Overload, Dampening, Risk Reduction, Foreign Object Damage (Fod)