Air Force Lab Test Out "Aircraft Surfing" Technique To Save Fuel

coondoggie writes "It's not a totally new concept, but the Air Force is testing the idea of flying gas-guzzling cargo aircraft inline allowing the trailing aircraft to utilize the cyclonic energy coming off the lead plane — a concept known as vortex surfing — over long distances to save large amounts of fuel. According to an Air force release, a series of recent test flights involving two aircraft at a time, let the trailing aircraft surf the vortex of the lead aircraft, positioning itself in the updraft to get additional lift without burning extra fuel."

Comments

Re:Apparently different than drafting...

[Penguinisto]

OTOH, nature already provides a perfect example: Geese have been doing it for literal ages and likely for the same reason (though instead of burning excess liquid fuel, it keeps them from being tired).