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A wet wing (also referred to as integral fuel tanks[1]) is an aerospace engineering technique where an aircraft's wing structure is sealed and used as a fuel tank.
The use of wet wings has become common among civilian designs, from large transport aircraft, such as airliners, to small general aviation aircraft. Several military aircraft, such as airlifters and aerial refueling tankers, have incorporated the technique as well.[2][3] A number of strike aircraft, such as the Grumman A-6 Intruder, have also been furnished with wet wings.[4] While it is technically feasible, studies have found it generally impractical to convert aircraft between wet wing and non-wet wing fuel storage.[5]
- ^ Crane, Dale: Dictionary of Aeronautical Terms, third edition, page 557. Aviation Supplies & Academics, 1997. ISBN 1-56027-287-2
- ^ "C-17 Wet Wing Defueling Cart". aviationpros.com. 26 May 2011.
- ^ Whitford 2004, p. 153.
- ^ Harwood, T. L. (1991). "An Assessment of Tailoring of Lightning Protection Design Requirements for a composite wing structure on a Metallic aircraft" (PDF). NASA.
- ^ Air Safety Board 1950, p. 362.