Mid air refueling

[Owl]

Mid air refueling -
Playing a scenario that has an air strike from Diego Garcia trying to hit targets in Shri Lanka. There are several tanker aircraft available on the ground for mid-air fueling. The problem is I'm not sure how many tankers to take along.
Will one tanker refuel an unlimited size squadron in formation with it a single time? If you need more than one refueleing then, you need multiple tanker aircraft?

I need to get my SEAD planes there first, then the strike itself. It's Hard to figure out if I need multiple tankers with the SEAD force and even more with the larger formation of strike aircraft.

[CV32]

ORIGINAL: Owl
Will one tanker refuel an unlimited size squadron in formation with it a single time? If you need more than one refueleing then, you need multiple tanker aircraft?

You will likely need multiple tankers. Tankers offload a quantity of fuel equal to the range of the tanker's own loadout. Example:

KC-10 Extender Tanker loadout has a range of 7,500nm
Now you join that KC-10 to a group of B-1 bombers (we'll say 4 of them)
The KC-10 can give each B-1 1,875nm of fuel (7500/4).

We're examining changes to the refueling mechanics to allow a tanker to offload fuel multiple times and decouple tanker fuel capacity from its loadout range.

I need to get my SEAD planes there first, then the strike itself. It's Hard to figure out if I need multiple tankers with the SEAD force and even more with the larger formation of strike aircraft.

I'm familiar with the scenario you're talking about. You're almost definitely going to need multiple tankers. I'd set up refueling points just outside enemy radar range, but you want to assign fighter escort to the tankers.

[JRyan]

I was playing the last scen is the westpac set and I had a group of 10 A6E Tankers and 10 A6E SEAD loadouts and the tankers crashed but the SEAD's made it to the carrier. Due to the above explanation, I think I know why now....Thanks

[Shark7]

Yeah, at some point you probably need to detach the tankers from the strike group and send them home.

[SteveF2006]

What would be a nice addition is, when any aircraft, whether it is in a group or if it is by itself, alerts you when it is at Bingo fuel. I have had that happen multiple times where I think I have enough fuel for the group and then.... crash! [:@]

[Stalintc]

ORIGINAL: SteveF2006

What would be a nice addition is, when any aircraft, whether it is in a group or if it is by itself, alerts you when it is at Bingo fuel. I have had that happen multiple times where I think I have enough fuel for the group and then.... crash! [:@]

You know what is weird, ASW helicopters have been flagging bingo fuel at me, ive had the staff officer come up and say something like "Sir, Group ACH is almost at bingo fuel"

But never for fixed wing aircraft..

[CV32]

Hmm, using the HCE release version, I just ran a couple of scenarios (one in GIUK and one in Westpac) and got "bingo fuel" messages for fixed wing aircraft in both instances.

[Stalintc]

Yah I just worked out why I wasnt seeing it..

So far the only fixed wings I allowed to get to bingo fuel are formation CAP's which are handled by the AI.... individual groups so far I have RTBed well before bingo fuel (P-3 Orion verrrrry long station time)

So thats probably why I havent after further thought. [:)]

Cheers

[ETF]

ORIGINAL: SteveF2006

What would be a nice addition is, when any aircraft, whether it is in a group or if it is by itself, alerts you when it is at Bingo fuel. I have had that happen multiple times where I think I have enough fuel for the group and then.... crash! [:@]

Hmmm I still haven't seen that yet either guess I will have to play more. I seem to keep crashing bingo fuel units. Maybe I shut off my staff pop-up?

[CV32]

ORIGINAL: ETF
Hmmm I still haven't seen that yet either guess I will have to play more. I seem to keep crashing bingo fuel units.

The 'bingo fuel' messages are kinda hard to miss, particularly as you get one around 10% fuel remaining and another near 0%. And, between 0-10% the aircraft icon will become shaded and flashing.

You're going to have to pay more attention when your Staff Assistant tells you that the pilot is yelling something about running on fumes. [:'(]

Maybe I shut off my staff pop-up?

Not an option at this point in time.