The U.S. Air Force has equipped the A-10C Thunderbolt II with a new probe-and-drogue refueling capability through a field-installable adapter, allowing the close air support aircraft to use hose-based tankers for the first time in service.
The Probe Refueling Adapter fits into the A-10’s existing nose-mounted air refueling receptacle, converting it from the standard boom system—used with KC-135 Stratotankers—to a probe-and-drogue configuration compatible with slower C-130-based tankers like the KC-130J Super Hercules, MC-130J Commando II, and HC-130J Combat King II.
Development stemmed from an urgent combatant command requirement after KC-10 tanker retirements and pending KC-46 Pegasus certification left A-10 units reliant on KC-135s, creating refueling gaps in theater. The Air National Guard Air Force Reserve Command Test Center led the effort with support from the A-10 System Program Office and industry partners.
The adapter can be installed or removed by flight line personnel in hours, enabling mission-specific reconfiguration. The first successful refueling flight occurred on April 2 with an HC-130 tanker, approved by the Air Refueling Certification Authority. C-130 tankers match the A-10’s lower refueling speeds around 200 knots and support close air support and combat search and rescue missions.