C-130J Super Hercules successfully refueled an M1 Abrams tank

Refueling planes in the air is a common practice. Now the U.S. Air Force is working to learn how to refuel tanks using air tankers.

Here's What We Know

The U.S. Air Force recently conducted a test in which Lockheed Martin's C-130J Super Hercules was able to refuel an M1 Abrams tank. The peculiarity of the test was that during the refueling the plane landed, but did not shut off its engines.

The exercise took place on December 9 in Texas. Soldiers from the U.S. Army's 1st Armored Division and the U.S. Air Force's 40th Air Transport Squadron at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, participated.

Special equipment was used to perform tank refueling procedures. It was designed specifically for "hot refueling" and is called the Emergency Response Refueling Equipment Kit (ERREK).

Source: DVIDS