U.S. Patent Specifications

In a receiving aircraft, an elongated rigid probe directed forwardly from the receiving aircraft substantially in the line of flight and terminating in a tip for coupling within a complemental drogue trailing behind a tanker aircraft, means to extend said probe forwardly and to retract it rearwardly with respect to the receiving aircraft whereon it is mounted, stop means fixedly positioned with respect to the receiving aircraft and located adjacent the probe and behind the probe's tip when the probe is in its foremost position the movement of the probe's tip effected by the extending and retracting means being of such extent as to withhold the probe‐coupled drogue from contact with the stop means when the probe is in its foremost position, and to effect contact between the drogue and the stop means, to uncouple the drogue from the probe, before the probe reaches its rearmost position.