Abstract: An in-flight refueling system, boom, and method are provided for extending the range of motion of an in-flight refueling boom carried by a first aircraft so as to facilitate an in-flight refueling operation between the first and the second aircraft. More specifically, in some embodiments the present invention provides a rotating device, operably engaged with at least one airfoil, and configured to substantially surround and rotate about the in-flight refueling boom such that the rotating device and the at least one airfoil operably engaged therewith, may be actuated so as to extend the range of motion of the in-flight refueling boom.

Abstract: An in-flight refueling system, sensor system and method are provided for detecting and damping changes in the disposition of an elongate hose extending from a tanker aircraft during an in-flight refueling operation. The various embodiments provide a compact, lightweight, and low-profile sensor device that may be fitted to the elongate hose so as to detect oscillations in the elongate hose and transmit a signal to a hose retracting device carried by the tanker aircraft such that the hose retracting device retracts the elongate hose in response to the signal so as to counteract the occurrence of oscillations within the elongate hose. Thus, these embodiments may minimize the effect of oscillations in the elongate hose by selectively retracting the elongate hose in response to oscillations detected therein as it extends from the tanker aircraft during an in-flight refueling operation.