Conformal fuel tank

CFTs have a reduced aerodynamic penalty compared to external drop tanks, and do not significantly increase an aircraft's radar cross-section. Another advantage CFTs provide is that they do not occupy ordnance hardpoints like drop tanks, allowing the aircraft to carry its full payload.

Conformal fuel tanks have the disadvantage that, unlike drop tanks, they cannot be discarded in flight, because they are plumbed into the aircraft and so can only be removed on the ground. As a result, they will impose a slight drag-penalty and minor weight gain on the aircraft even when the tanks are empty, without any benefit. They can also impose slight g-load limits, although not always an absolute issue: the CFTs on the F-15E actually allow the same maneuverability without g-limitations.

• F-15C Eagle/F-15E Strike Eagle/F-15EX Eagle II

:F-15C entered service with CFT capability.{{cite web|url=http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_fighters/f15_8.html|title=McDonnell F-15C Eagle|last=Joe|first=Baugher|date=20 February 2000|publisher=JoeBaugher.Com|accessdate=2010-09-21}} Initially known as FAST packs (Fuel And Sensor Tactical), each unit carried an additional {{convert|750|gal|L|1}} of fuel,U.S. AIR FORCE "[https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104499/f-15e-strike-eagle/ F-15E Strike Eagle]" USAF military website, April 15, 2005. while retaining hardpoints for four AIM-7F Sparrow missiles or bombs, some on the FAST packs.Green and Swanborough 1998, p. 371. They were first tested on the F-15B in 1974. All U.S. F-15Es, and Strike Eagle export variants such as the Israeli and Singapore models, are fitted with CFTs under the wingLambert 1993, p. 521. outside the engine intake and require modification to fly without them.{{cite web|url=http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_fighters/f15_10.html|title=McDonnell F-15E Eagle|last=Joe|first=Baugher|date=9 May 2004|publisher=JoeBaugher. Com|accessdate=2010-09-21}} The FAST pack was originally intended to carry a navigational and targeting infrared sensor system (thus "Fuel And Sensor"); however, the F-15 simply began carrying LANTIRN pods for ground-attack missions instead.

File:Israeli F-16s at Red Flag2.jpg

• F-16C/D Block 50/52+, F-16E/F Block 60, F-16 V Block 70/72 and F-16I Sufa

:Export aircraft for Greece, Chile, Israel, Poland, Pakistan, Turkey, Singapore, Morocco, Egypt and the UAE are plumbed for carriage of two CFTs mounted atop the aircraft near the wing root. Together they hold {{convert|450|gal|L|1}}, 3050lb of fuel.{{Cite web|url=https://www.f-16.net/f-16-news-article781.html|title=First phase of flight testing of the F-16 conformal fuel tanks completed|website=www.f-16.net}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articles-view/release/3/12930/f_16-conformal-fuel-tanks-tested-(nov.-28).html|title=L- M and USAF Complete Flight-Testing of F-16 Conformal Fuel Tanks|website=www.defense-aerospace.com}}

• Dassault Rafale

:Two {{convert|1150|L|gal}} CFTs were first tested by Dassault in April 2001.{{cite web |title=Dassault reveals conformal tanks |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/dassault-reveals-conformal-tanks-/38037.article |publisher=FlightGlobal |access-date=14 May 2024}}

• Mikoyan MiG-29SMT – MiG-29S (Product 9.13)- Mikoyan MiG-35

:One {{convert|950|L|gal}} CFTs in a further enlarged spine.{{Cite web|url=https://jalopnik.com/how-america-and-iran-danced-to-the-brink-of-war-1840868986|title=How America And Iran Danced To The Brink of War|website=Jalopnik|date=9 January 2020 }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-just-deployed-its-upgraded-mig-29-to-syria-for-the-first-time-2017-9|title=Russia just deployed its upgraded MiG-29 to Syria for the first time|first=David|last=Cenciotti|website=Business Insider}}

• Eurofighter Typhoon

:Wind tunnel tested by BAE, two CFTs with {{convert|1500|L|gal}} capacity each.{{cite web |url=https://www.janes.com/article/36893/bae-systems-begins-new-round-of-cft-trials-for-typhoon |title=BAE Systems begins new round of CFT trials for Typhoon}}Cenciotti, David. "[http://theaviationist.com/2014/04/22/eurofighter-typhoon-cft/ A Typhoon model fitted with conformal fuel tanks]" The Aviationist, 22 April 2014.

• AIDC F-CK-1 Ching-kuo

:The F-CK-1D prototype ("Brave Hawk") and the F-CK-1C single-seater prototype are equipped with the new CFTs. The prototype Indigenous Defence Fighter II “Goshawk” has over-wing CFTs.Cole, Michael. "[http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2011/08/13/2003510616 Jet deals to keep state-owned firm busy]" Taipei Times, 13 August 2011.

• Advanced Super Hornet

:Conformal fuel tanks are mounted above the wings to replace the drag of underwing tanks. Combined, they carry 1,590 kg (3,500 lb) of extra fuel, while adding extra lift and expanding combat radius by 130 nmi (240 km) with a small transonic acceleration penalty.{{cite web|url=http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/dubai-air-show/2013-11-15/boeing-pitches-advanced-super-hornet-future-threats|title=Boeing Pitches 'Advanced Super Hornet' For Future Threats | Defense News: Aviation International News|publisher=ainonline.com|accessdate=2015-09-03|archive-date=2014-11-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141112191944/http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/dubai-air-show/2013-11-15/boeing-pitches-advanced-super-hornet-future-threats|url-status=dead}}{{cite magazine |magazine=Popular Mechanics |url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/aviation/a18211702/fa-18-super-hornet-longer-legs-fuel-tanks-range/ |title=The F/A-18 Super Hornet Is About to Fly Farther Than Ever Before |first=Kyle |last=Mizokami |date=February 16, 2018}}

• Chengdu J-10

:Wind tunnel tested by Chengdu.{{cite web |url=http://www.asian-defence.net/2011/02/chinese-j-10-fighter-with-conformal.html |title=Chinese J-10 Fighter With Conformal Fuel Tanks CFT's In Wind Tunnel Testing – ASIAN DEFENCE NEWS |publisher=asian-defence.net |accessdate=2015-09-03 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120724114154/http://www.asian-defence.net/2011/02/chinese-j-10-fighter-with-conformal.html |archivedate=2012-07-24 }}

• WWII:
• Supermarine Spitfire in the belly.
• Messerschmitt Bf 109 in the belly.
• Messerschmitt Bf 110D-1 in the belly – nicknamed Dackelbauch (dachshund's belly).

Distended internal tanks are fuel tanks that either create a bulge in the fuselage, or are mounted flush with the fuselage.

• English Electric Lightning{{cite web|url=http://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk/lightning/pictures.php |title=Thunder & Lightnings – English Electric Lightning – Pictures – Profiles |publisher=Thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk |date=2009-08-11 |accessdate=2010-11-09}} Conformal ventral store was used for a small or large belly fuel tank which bulges out from the underbody.
• Gloster Javelin fitted with dual flush-mounted belly tanks with a capacity of 1,137 liters (300 US gallons). They were known as "bosom tanks" or "Sabrinas".{{cite web|url=http://www.wingweb.co.uk/aircraft/The_Gloster_Javelin.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071027112013/http://www.wingweb.co.uk/aircraft/The_Gloster_Javelin.html |archive-date=2007-10-27 |url-status=dead |title=The Gloster Javelin – the full story from concept to service |accessdate=2015-09-03}}{{cite web|url=http://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk/javelin/full/xh712.jpg|title=Image: xh712.jpg, (800 × 533 px)|publisher=thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk|accessdate=2015-09-03}}
• Gloster Meteor.{{cite web |url=http://www.aviationmuseum.com.au/aircraft/Meteor2.cfm |title=Meteor2 |publisher=Aviationmuseum.com.au |date=2008-07-19 |accessdate=2010-11-09 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100920184559/http://www.aviationmuseum.com.au/aircraft/Meteor2.cfm |archivedate=2010-09-20 }}
• Shenyang J-6.
• Nanchang Q-5 "Fantan" weapons bay fuel tank extends below the fuselage profile.{{cite web |url=http://www.sinodefence.com/airforce/groundattack/showimage.asp?imagename=q5_09large |title=Image |publisher=SinoDefence.com |accessdate=2010-11-09 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100728093216/http://www.sinodefence.com/airforce/groundattack/showimage.asp?imagename=q5_09large |archivedate=2010-07-28 }}

;Notes

{{Reflist}}

• Green, William and Gordon Swanborough. The Complete Book of Fighters. New York: Barnes & Noble Inc., 1988. {{ISBN|0-7607-0904-1}}.
• Lambert, Mark, ed. Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1993–94. Alexandria, Virginia: Jane's Information Group Inc., 1993. {{ISBN|0-7106-1066-1}}.

{{Aircraft fuel tanks}}

{{Aircraft components}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Conformal Fuel Tank}}

Category:Aircraft fuel system components

Category:Fuel containers