Two USAF C-17s were flown 4,000 ft apart to test fuel saving techniques by flying in formation.
Modifications to the C-17 formation flight system software enabled precise auto-pilot and auto-throttle systems to maintain longitudinal separations.
Preliminary results show a reduction of fuel consumption by up to 10 percent for the duration of a flight.
[thumb]http://www.afrc.af.mil/news/story_print.asp?id=123321615[/thumb]