https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerial_refueling

Flying boom : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerial_refueling#Flying_boom

Higher fuel flow rates (up to 1,000 US gallons (3,800 l) / 6,500 pounds (2,900 kg) per minute for the KC-135 tanker) can be achieved with the large diameter of the pipe in the flying boom, requiring less time to complete refueling operations than probe-and-drogue systems.

Le KC-46 permet des débits plus élevés encore mais la mise au point n’a pas été sans difficultés.

Le « boom » est utilisé principalement par les avions de l’USAF

Probe-and-drogue : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerial_refueling#Probe-and-drogue

Lower flow rates (to 1,500 to 4,500 pounds (680 to 2,040 kg) per minute)^[30] due to a lower pressure and limited hose diameter resulting in longer refueling times for larger aircraft.