USAF completed C-17 “vortex surfing” test

The U.S. Air Force last month completed testing of a method to save fuel by having a formation of C-17 fly close to each other.

The phenomenon, called vortex surfing, requires the trailing aircraft to “surf” the vortex of the lead aircraft, positioning itself in the updraft. Tests completed last month found a 10 percent greater fuel efficiency for the trailing aircraft.

The next challenge is to find money for further testing that could begin as early as 2014 and implemented by 2016.

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