because both companies share our dedication to innovation
and business agility. Importantly, we have designed our sys-
tem so that it is relatively indifferent regarding its host air-
craft — we can adapt it to Thrush, Archangel, Air Tractor, and
other aircraft.
Doerbird features the 1,700 HP PT-6 engine and a more than
1,000 gal fuel tank. It consumes 70 gals per 1 hour of flying
at 150 knots. If we were to use up all of the available fuel, this
translates into 14 hours of loiter time. Aerial refueling also
involves the airlift of fuel to the other aircraft. Let's simplify
that by using an example of a UH-60 Black Hawk executing
a SAR sortie, 150 miles from shore. The aircraft carrying the
fuel needs around 3 hours of fuel for itself (2 hours of flight
plus 1 hour of reserve), which translates into 250 gallons.
We are left with 750 gallons available to other aircraft. For
the Black Hawk mentioned above, this would be enough for
5 hours. The quantity may be distributed between several air-
craft, for more complex missions.
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