Air Force Lab Test Out "Aircraft Surfing" Technique To Save Fuel

coondoggie writes "It's not a totally new concept, but the Air Force is testing the idea of flying gas-guzzling cargo aircraft inline allowing the trailing aircraft to utilize the cyclonic energy coming off the lead plane — a concept known as vortex surfing — over long distances to save large amounts of fuel. According to an Air force release, a series of recent test flights involving two aircraft at a time, let the trailing aircraft surf the vortex of the lead aircraft, positioning itself in the updraft to get additional lift without burning extra fuel."

Re:Who's up first?

[Anonymous Coward]

Just because the lead craft doesn't get to save gas, doesn't mean there is not a net gas savings for the entire system.

Re:Who's up first?

[AK Marc]

Firstly, this isn't drafting. Secondly, the lead would likely swap periodically, as birds have done for thousands of years. Drafting airplanes won't work for the same reason helicopters hovering can crash wile under full power (google "settling with power" for an areodynamic description of what would happen when multiple wings travel through the same air). Yes, I am a pilot.

Re:Apparently different than drafting...

[Penguinisto]

OTOH, nature already provides a perfect example: Geese have been doing it for literal ages [wikipedia.org] and likely for the same reason (though instead of burning excess liquid fuel, it keeps them from being tired).