For use on air refuelling tanker aircraft, the Defence Research and Development Organization is working to create a new generation air to air refuelling pod. Israel Aerospace Industries and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited have committed to develop Air to Air Refueling Pods for the Boeing 767 Multi Mission Tanker Transporter as part of the B767 conversion programme, and DRDO is looking for PSUs and private sector businesses from India that can do the same.
IAI and HAL decided to purchase used B767 aircraft and carry out aircraft conversion locally in India after India cancelled the Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transporter MRTT programme in June 2016.
Two pods that are positioned on the wings and one pod that is affixed to the left rear side of the fuselage make up the B767 MMTT. All three pods receive gasoline solely for air to air refuelling from the aircraft fuel system. The aerial refuelling control panel, which is positioned at the operator station of the aircraft, is where these refuelling pods are managed and operated.
