This F-22 Raptor Wing Tank Storage Facility Looks Like A Science Fiction Movie Set

Updated Nov 27, 2020 6:12 PM EST

F-22A Raptor is still as much of a modern marvel as it was when it entered service a decade and a half ago, but nothing about the world’s first 5th generation stealth super-fighter, or really any modern fighter aircraft for that matter, is simple or cheap. Case in point, the place where the Raptor’s 600-gallon external fuel tanks are stored at Langely AFB in Virginia, one of the USAF’s biggest Raptor nests . Dubbed the Vertical Tank Storage System (VTSS), the indoor installation is like one of those dry cleaning conveyor racks, but it holds massive external fuel tanks, not shirts and sport coats. It was just featured in a number of cool photos from the 1st Fighter Wing’s public affairs folks.

The F-22 uses massive 600-gallon wing tanks to extend its range for missions where low-observability (stealth) is not a primary necessity. For instance, Raptors that sit alert in Alaska fly with the wing tanks as their intercept missions can cross vast distances over long periods. This is in addition to having a support tanker launched during scambles. They are also used when F-22s are ferried to overseas operating locations.

F-22 Raptors equipped with wing tanks at Elmendorf AFB in Alaska. , USAF

The tanks on the F-22 are actually made to be jettisoned with their pylons attached. This allows F-22 pilots to ‘buy-back’ some stealthiness, as well as higher performance, on-demand.

Seeing as these big wing tanks are a critical part of the stealth fighter’s capability set, they need to be stored somewhere. This is where the VTSS comes in.

Where traditionally drop tanks have been stored mainly outdoors laid or stacked on the ground in cradles, or in shed-like structures, bringing them indoors and hanging them vertically on an automated rack saves space, improves the condition and longevity of the tanks, makes them more accessible in any weather conditions, and above all else, it saves time and lowers the amount of airman you need to handle them. When it comes to Langley’s Raptor force, which could be called to deploy at a moment’s notice, this is clearly beneficial, but other fighter bases have also received this system, as well.

A company called International Automated Systems, or IAS , makes the automated tank racks. They are fairly remarkable machines to see in action, which you can in the video below.

The huge industrial setup certainly looks like a set out of a science fiction movie. For someone who doesn’t know a lot about military aviation, you can imagine how they would probably think they have stumbled upon a nuclear weapons bunker.

It is simply amazing how many little-known sci-fi-like facilities the military-industrial complex has brought to life . But above all else, this setup serves as another reminder that something that seems fairly simple, like handling drop tanks for fighter aircraft, is really anything but.

As to what one of these F-22 external tanks actually costs? We have reached out to Cobham to see if we can get a price.

Contact the author: Tyler@thedrive.com

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更新于美国东部时间2020年11月27日下午6:12

F-22A猛禽战斗机至今仍像15年前服役时那样令人惊叹，但作为世界上首款第五代隐形超级战斗机，乃至任何现代战斗机，都绝非简单或廉价之物。以弗吉尼亚州兰利空军基地为例，猛禽战斗机600加仑的外挂油箱就存放于此，该基地是美国空军最大的猛禽战斗机基地之一。这套名为“垂直油箱存储系统”（VTSS）的室内装置，外形类似干洗店的传送带，只不过存放的是巨大的外挂油箱，而不是衬衫和运动外套。最近，第一战斗机联队的公共事务部门发布了一系列精彩的照片，展示了这套系统。

F-22战斗机使用容量巨大的600加仑副油箱来延长航程，以执行那些对隐身性能要求不高的任务。例如，驻扎在阿拉斯加的F-22猛禽战斗机在执行拦截任务时会携带副油箱飞行，因为它们的拦截任务可能需要跨越很远的距离，持续时间也很长。此外，在紧急起飞作战时，F-22还会配备支援加油机。当F-22被转运到海外作战地点时，也会使用副油箱。

阿拉斯加埃尔门多夫空军基地，装备副油箱的F-22猛禽战斗机。（美国空军）

F-22战斗机的副油箱实际上是设计成可以连同挂架一起抛弃的。这使得F-22飞行员可以根据需要“买回”部分隐身性能以及更高的飞行性能。

鉴于这些大型翼下油箱是隐形战斗机性能的关键组成部分，它们需要存放。这就是垂直运输系统（VTSS）的作用所在。

传统上，副油箱主要露天存放，或平放、堆放在地面的支架上，或存放在类似棚屋的建筑物内。而现在，将它们移至室内，垂直悬挂在自动化挂架上，不仅节省了空间，还提高了油箱的状况和使用寿命，使其在任何天气条件下都更容易取用。最重要的是，它节省了时间，并减少了操作所需的空军人员数量。对于随时可能被召集部署的兰利空军基地的猛禽战斗机部队来说，这显然是一大优势。其他战斗机基地也已配备了这套系统。

一家名为国际自动化系统公司（International Automated Systems，简称IAS）的公司生产这种自动化储罐货架。这些机器运转起来非常出色，您可以在下面的视频中看到。

这套庞大的工业设施看起来确实像是科幻电影里的布景。对于不太了解军事航空的人来说，你可以想象他们很可能会以为自己误入了核武器掩体。

军工复合体竟然能把这么多鲜为人知、如同科幻小说里才会出现的设施变成现实，真是令人惊叹。但最重要的是，这套装置再次提醒我们，像战斗机副油箱的处理这样看似简单的事情，实际上远非如此。

至于这些F-22外挂油箱的实际价格？我们已经联系了科巴姆公司，看看能否获得报价。

联系作者：Tyler@thedrive.com

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