OVERVIEW: A Buddy Store is an external pod mounted on an aircraft hardpoint that contains a hose-and-drogue refueling system (HDU). It enables fighter or bomber aircraft to perform "buddy tanking," allowing them to refuel other aircraft mid-flight without dedicated tanker support. This capability extends the operational range and endurance of strike aircraft, especially for carrier air wings or expeditionary forces lacking specialized tankers.

DETAILS: The Buddy Store deploys a hose and drogue that trails behind and below the tanker aircraft. The receiving aircraft pilot maneuvers a refueling probe into the drogue basket to establish a secure connection, allowing fuel transfer. The hose is retracted or extended by a motorized drum in the HDU to balance aerodynamic forces and prevent excessive loads on the probe during flight maneuvers. Fuel flow is managed via valves and indicated by cockpit lights to ensure safe and continuous transfer. The system requires precise pilot control to maintain proper closure rates and avoid oscillations that could sever the connection. Buddy Stores allow strike aircraft to take off with less fuel, relying on mid-air refueling to complete longer missions. Historically, the Royal Navy employed similar systems on aircraft such as the Supermarine Scimitar and Blackburn Buccaneer. Modern Western and Russian forces widely use hose-and-drogue systems for aerial refueling.

ROLE SUMMARY:
Category: External Refueling Pod
Primary Use: Air-to-air refueling tanker capability for non-dedicated tankers
Function: Store, deploy, and manage hose-and-drogue refueling system to transfer fuel
Strong Against: Operational range limitations, lack of dedicated tanker assets
Weak Against: Increased drag and weight, limited fuel offload compared to dedicated tankers, complexity of probe-drogue coupling
Platform: Fighter, bomber, and multirole aircraft with external hardpoints
Integration: Compatible with aircraft probe-and-drogue refueling systems and standard hardpoints

SOURCE:
Janes Aeronautical Systems
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerial_refueling#Buddy_store