While flying, the fuel tank of a Pakistani fighter jet fell from the sky to the ground, claims of heavy damage, are the fighter planes becoming junk?

A BBC report said that the fuel tank of a Pakistani Air Force fighter plane fell from the sky to the ground while flying over the rural area of ​​Sargodha in Pakistani Punjab. Police officials have said that three fighter jets were flying together when the fuel tank of one of the planes broke apart and fell to the ground. Sargodha is a major airbase of the Pakistani Air Force. Locals say that many cattle have been harmed due to the fuel tank hitting them. Earlier in April 2023, a similar incident happened when the fuel tank of a Pakistan Air Force fighter plane fell in a hilly area on Rawalpindi Road. During this, there was a bomb blast, which frightened the local residents. Earlier in 1997, a fuel tank fell in a residential area in Karachi, killing 6 people.

Fighter jets have fuel tanks installed under their fuselage or wings. Fuel tanks look long, cigar-shaped. These are known as “drop tanks”. These are external fuel tanks, which carry extra fuel and fly with fighter jets. Some of these tanks also have unit markings, which makes them easily recognizable. The development of drop tanks dates back to the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). During this time, they were first installed in fighter jets. After this, fuel tanks started being installed in fighter jets manufactured all over the world.

Why are fuel tanks installed in fighter jets?

Fuel tanks later became a necessity for fighter jets. The Allies and the Royal Air Force (RAF) soon began developing their own fuel tank aircraft to extend the range of combat patrol and long-range bomber aircraft. Initially, many questions were raised about drop tanks, but gradually they were installed in all fighter jets. During World War II, the Allied fighter jets benefited greatly from fuel tanks. After which fuel tanks became mandatory in the construction of new fighter jets. At the same time, their technology also started expanding gradually.

Interestingly, due to the high demand for metals during World War II, engineers innovated and the Allied forces started producing disposable drop tanks from special glue and kraft paper. You will be surprised to know that while metal drop tanks were usually painted light gray, these light paper tanks were given a shiny silver coating and were so light that a person could easily lift them when empty.

Did American pilots make trumpet tanks a weapon?

During World War II, American fighter pilots converted fuel tanks into temporary bombs during aerial combat. Many pilots of the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt started throwing fuel tanks while flying at low altitudes over enemy targets. Drop tanks were first thrown at enemy targets and then set on fire. This made them very dangerous firebombs. This caused a lot of damage. However, this strategy did not last long. Because later disposable paper drop tanks started being used. These lighter tanks were less likely to catch fire when fired. But pilots later started making napalm bombs by filling them with a volatile fuel mixture. These drop tanks would explode in the air without firing a bullet.

However, when the US Air Force started using it rapidly during the Vietnam War, it started getting criticized. British politician Winston Churchill also condemned the excessively brutal use of napalm and warned about its potential for indiscriminate destruction and civilian casualties. Napalm’s role in warfare increased significantly during the Vietnam War, but by then, factories had started producing special bombs designed specifically to carry and deploy napalm. However, now the US Air Force has stopped using napalm bombs.

Why do fighter planes drop their fuel tanks?

Although the separation of a fuel tank from a fighter plane may seem frightening to some, it is a common practice for fighter jets to drop fuel tanks. Pilots drop fuel tanks when they see the plane’s or their own lives in danger. External fuel tanks are installed to increase the flight capabilities of fighter jets, but they significantly increase the weight of the aircraft, which affects the speed and maneuverability of fighter jets. In such a situation, problems start occurring in fighter planes. Therefore, pilots may decide to remove the tanks to lighten the weight of the aircraft. This improves the handling of the jet, saves fuel and increases the chances of reaching the nearest airbase safely.