Warship refueling at sea - GIFs

Warship refueling at sea. This is known as UNREP (underway replenishment) or RAS (replenishment at sea).

First a line-throwing gun is used to shoot a line between the two ships:

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Then the line is used to connect a larger fuel hose:

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More:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underway_replenishment

Previously:

https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...955#post111992
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...706#post111347

I remember it well. Standing with a sledge hammer waiting to give the pelican hook a good smack to break free if the proverbial hit the fan.Attachment 23967

Was 1 of the line for fuel and the other for vapor transference to reduce any possibility of salt saturated air spray from entering either the tankers or the tanks of the ship receiving fuel.That seems like how I might have set it up.

Yes, that's how we do it. UNREP: Underway Replenishment.
My [not my as in personal, lol] aircraft carriers often fueled/ supplied 2 ships at a time port and starboard. MeJasonT might confirm each completed UNREP,'s emergency breakaway would be practiced. Certain hazards were avoided instead of saying "Emergency....", a musical signal was used. For the USN, one popular signal is "Bad to the Bone", George Thorogood, rather appropriate, but "Pipeline", The Ventures is clever too.
This time last year [2017] marked 100th anniversary of replenishment underway. There are so many incredibly interesting details about UNREP. I still marvel today, 1700 miles from salt water; who knows how far from ocean open to steam 3-4 hours unimpeded.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underway_replenishment
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breakaway_music

Probe-and-drogue aerial refueling. Sometimes this is done so that planes can be kept in air long-term, but, AFAIK, the more frequent use is for fighter jets to take off with less fuel weight and more crew or weapons payload. Then, one refueling plane can refuel numerous fighters in air.

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It took a total of 57 in flight refuelling operations to get only 2 Vulcan bombers to the Falkland Islands. half of which were fuelling tankers transferring fuel between each other so that the Vulcans could be fully loaded by a tanker for their final stint to bomb Port Stanley airfield to render it inoperable for the Argentine aggressors.
8000 miles (12,500km), taking 15 hrs 45 mins.

A gorgeous Plane, you must agree.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N34XS4uhLjg&t=22s

B-2 Spirit (Stealth Bomber) rotating refueling receptacle.

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Cool Jon! I wondered how they could do it with prop on top etc. Where ther's a will & enough dough for R & D.

Helicopter fuel replenishment at sea. Labeled as the USS Dunham refueling an MH60 Seahawk.

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This strikes me as an unnecessary drill. Why not just land the bird on the deck and then refuel.

Best guess is that they're practicing.

It’s really only worth doing a “hot” refuel if it’s too dangerous to land the hopcopter. (That’s what my favourite nephew always called ‘copters)

I would say that both Jon and drew 1966 are correct this would have been a practice drill for times when it is too dangerous to land.
Just like replenishing ammo in tanks while underway or on battle station practice makes perfect for the times when seconds and lives are on the line. You would no more go into battle with a broken firing pin in your M4 and not know how to strip it in the field than you would fly a jet or a helicopter with not knowing how to refuel by every means available to you

Vapor cones forming around an aircraft during mid-air refueling.

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2:39 source video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5Uks8ZGdrM

More: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vapor_cone