--- title: Energy Absorbing Aerial Refueling Hose description: This was the engineering research and development process employed by Mide for the Energy Absorbing Aerial Refueling Hose --- - [Employment](https://www.mide.com/mide-employment?hsLang=en) - [News](https://www.mide.com/news?hsLang=en) - [Events](https://blog.mide.com/news-events?hsLang=en) - [About](https://www.mide.com/about-mide?hsLang=en) - [Corporate Social Responsibility](https://www.mide.com/mide-corporate-social-responsibility?hsLang=en) - [About](https://www.mide.com/about-mide?hsLang=en) - [Blog](https://blog.mide.com?hsLang=en) - [ISO Certifications](https://www.mide.com/mide-iso-certifications?hsLang=en) - 1 (781)306-0609 - [**](http://www.facebook.com/MideTechnology?sk=wall) - [**](http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3GP-tuxnkvrs6GyhWD4M4MDSC390MEDc) - [**](https://www.linkedin.com/company/mide-technology-corporation) - [ISO 9001:2008](https://www.mide.com/hubfs/homepage-banner/mide-iso-14664_021925.pdf?hsLang=en) - 1 (781)306-0609   [![Mide | Hutchinson](https://www.mide.com/hubfs/Logos/hutchinson-mide-color-white-web.svg "Mide Technology")](https://www.mide.com/?hsLang=en) # Energy Absorbing Aerial Refueling Hose ![energy absorbing refueling hose](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0964/1872/files/research-design-energy-absorbing-hose-top.jpg) ## Stage 1: Identifying the Challenge & Solution ### Customer Challenge/Requirements: Aerial refueling of helicopters and fixed wing aircraft provides significantly increased mission range, duration, and potential. Refueling engagement maneuvers may sometimes result in large hose displacements and forces that can damage refueling probes, hoses, and drogues. This results in refueling mission failure. ### Mide’s Solution: Mide has successfully added energy absorbing capabilities into aerial refueling hoses without requiring the need for significantly changing the overall hose manufacturing process. The new hose has increased damping incurring smaller sine waves, lower end forces and hose disturbances, and higher mission safety and success. The new hose is a direct, drop-in, replacement for legacy designs. This expedites the transition to the warfighter.   --- ## Stage 2. Engineering the Solution ![energy absorbing hose analysis](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0964/1872/files/research-design-energy-absorbing-hose-1.jpg) ### Analysis - Effect of altitude and temperature changes - Hose response after impact (Mide’s in-house models) - Stress and strain simulations (finite element software) - Load displacement modeling - Pressure, hoop stress, and hose length relationships   --- ![energy absorbing hose prototyping](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0964/1872/files/research-design-energy-absorbing-hose-2.jpg) ### Prototyping - Scaled and full size prototypes manufactured - Several hose variants constructed and tested for energy absorbing capabilities - Minimal changes to legacy manufacturing approach - Passes manufacturing acceptance testing matrix   --- ![energy absorbing hose testing](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0964/1872/files/research-design-energy-absorbing-hose-3.jpg) ### Testing - Flight tested (without engagement) - Ground based engagement testing conducted (supported by US Navy) - Dynamic testing - Full qualification testing in progress   --- ![energy absorbing hose productization](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0964/1872/files/research-design-energy-absorbing-hose-4.jpg) ### Productization - Uses existing manufacturing facilities, currently MRL 9 - No change to form, fit, and primary function of the hose, expedites integration into the fleet - Scalable technology to all hose variants - Utilizes well established technology and readily available materials   --- ## Result/Current Status: Mide is in the final stages of development. Full qualification testing of the hose is in progress.  Flight tests with engagements are currently scheduled.  Once the hose has been vetted in the final flight tests, it will be ready to transition to the Navy.  Mide’s next generation refueling hose will provide safer refueling exercises and increase overall mission success. --- **If you have an engineering challenge, we are here to help: ** [![Contact Us Button](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/637862/643835ce-1d72-4dda-8518-1b00aed21a9e.png)](http://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/637862/643835ce-1d72-4dda-8518-1b00aed21a9e)     [![Mide Technology](https://www.mide.com/hubfs/Logos/hutchinson-mide-color-white-web.svg)](https://www.mide.com/?hsLang=en) **Mide Technology Corporation** 475 Wildwood Avenue Woburn, MA 01801, USA **Phone:** [+1 (781) 306-0609](tel:1781306-0609) **Email:** [Contact Us](https://www.mide.com/contact-mide?hsLang=en) [![Mide Technology](https://www.mide.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos/hutchinson-logos-white-hutchinson-250.png?width=180&name=hutchinson-logos-white-hutchinson-250.png)](https://www.hutchinson.com/en) *Mide is a Hutchinson Company* - [**](https://www.facebook.com/pg/MideTechnology/posts/) - [**](https://www.youtube.com/user/MideTech) - [**](https://www.linkedin.com/company/mide-technology-corporation) ##### [about](https://www.mide.com/about-mide?hsLang=en) Midé Technology Corporation, founded in 1989, is an *Innovative, Agile* and *Proven* engineering company that develops, produces and markets high performance products and solutions. Our Brands include; [Marine Seals](https://www.mide.com/mide-marine-overview?hsLang=en), [Piezo.com](https://piezo.com/) and [enDAQ.com](https://endaq.com/). Our innovative people, systems approach, and customer focus provides us with the ability to conceptualize, design and deliver these high performance, intelligent systems and services tailored to our clients’ specific needs. ##### QUICK LINKS - [Piezo Products (Piezo.com)](https://piezo.com/) - [Data Loggers (enDAQ.com)](https://endaq.com/) - [Engineering Services](https://www.mide.com/collections/capabilities?hsLang=en) - [Mide Marine Division](https://www.mide.com/collections/mide-marine-overview?hsLang=en) - [Employment](https://www.mide.com/pages/employment?hsLang=en) - [Corporate Social Responsibility](https://www.mide.com/mide-corporate-social-responsibility?hsLang=en) ### NEWS & EVENTS Mide Technology Corp. 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