Telescopic probe aids in-flight refuelling

An Accura Holdings product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Apr 4, 2003

Having worked with Flight Refuelling for the last four years, Pershore based Accura Geneva has seen the relationship develop into one that is today an example of a true partnership between companies.

Having worked with Flight Refuelling for the last four years, Pershore based Accura Geneva has seen the relationship develop into one that is today an example of a true partnership between companies.

Working on an ongoing basis, Accura Geneva's relationship commenced with the manufacture of a long tube as part of an in-flight refuelling process.

Flight Refuelling and Accura Geneva have been able to produce a world-first for the aviation industry: a four-stage telescopic probe.

Gundrilling and deep hole boring specialist Accura Geneva manufactures precision machined aluminium tubes for the in-flight refuelling system for use on the Saab JAS39 Gripen aircraft.

The same process is also used for Boing's V22 Osprey Tiltrotor aircraft, in this instance the tubes are manufactured in titanium.

Keith Jones, Accura Geneva's Managing Director, comments: "The benefits of the telescopic probe are clear.

The retractable probe will prove beneficial where space is limited, such as when storing below deck on an aircraft carrier.

When in-flight, the tanker aircraft deploys a drogue, while the receiving aircraft extends the telescopic probe in order to take fuel".

With up to 1000 litre/min being pumped through the probe while airborne, it is paramount that the product is made to exacting requirements.

To this end, taking state of the art equipment to its limits, the team at Accura Geneva performs deep hole boring, turning, milling, internal slotting and finishing plating processes ensuring manufacture to extremely tight tolerances.

In a true partnership approach, Flight Refuelling worked with Accura Geneva to develop the internal slotting machine, converting a deep hole boring machine to do so.

Quality assurance is paramount throughout the various processes; to support customer quality requirements and continuous quality improvements, the company has recently recruited a new quality manager.

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