I am a living Lei Feng, I want to answer that an aerial refueling tanker is an aircraft that supplies fuel to planes in flight, usually converted from large transport aircraft or strategic bombers. Its role is to increase the range, extend endurance, and increase payload of the receiver aircraft, enhancing the combat capability of the air force. 　The refueling equipment on aerial tankers is mostly installed at the tail of the fuselage, and some are installed in pods under the wings, operated by pilots or refueling operators.
The main refueling systems include plug-and-cone type and telescopic boom type. The plug-and-cone type refueling system, also called the hose refueling system, mainly consists of a fuel hose reel device, pressure fuel supply mechanism, and electric control indicator device. The length of the hose depends on the aircraft model, generally 16 to 30 meters. At the end of the hose is a cone, shaped like an umbrella, containing the refueling coupling. The receiver aircraft’s refueling probe (port) is installed at the front or back of the fuselage.
During aerial refueling, the tanker flies above and ahead of the receiver aircraft. The pilot or refueling operator unlocks the fuel hose reel, extends the cone, which opens by the airflow and drags out the fuel hose. Meanwhile, the receiver aircraft pilot adjusts speed, heading, and altitude. After inserting the probe into the cone, the fuel line automatically connects and refueling begins. This system can have multiple sets on one tanker, allowing several aircraft to be refueled simultaneously.
　The telescopic boom type refueling system, also called the rigid boom system, has the telescopic boom at the lower rear of the fuselage, consisting of the main tube and a sleeve. The outer wall of the main tube is equipped with lifting cables and a stabilizer vane. During refueling, the tanker lowers the boom using the lifting cables. The stabilizer vane, under airflow, keeps the boom stable in both vertical and horizontal directions at a fixed angle, while the sleeve extends from the main tube. The receiver aircraft then moves into position to complete the connection and commence refueling.
This system requires a lower positional precision from the receiver aircraft but can refuel only one aircraft at a time.
The aerial refueling tanker is the one doing the refueling.
The modern aerial refueling process is roughly as follows: first, the tanker and receiver aircraft must rendezvous at a predetermined time and location to carry out aerial refueling. Then the receiver aircraft and the tanker dock; once docked successfully, the refueling system automatically opens the fuel line based on signals. After refueling is complete, the receiver aircraft disengages according to the tanker’s instructions, completing the entire refueling process.