Overview and History of Aircraft Inerting Systems
An airplane fuel tank inerting system provides an *inert atmosphere* in a fuel tank to minimize explosive ignition of fuel vapor.
This SAE Aerospace Information Report (AIR) deals with the three methods of fuel tank inerting systems currently used in operational aircraft:
The OBIGGS and nitrogen systems generally are designed to provide *full-time fuel tank fire protection*; the halon systems generally are designed to provide only *on-demand or combat-specific protection*.
This document also addresses other design considerations that affect fuel tank flammability such as fuel tank pressure and other methods for reducing fuel tank flammability.
This AIR does not treat the subject of *explosion suppression foam (ESF)* that has been used for fuel tank explosion protection on some military aircraft. ESF is also available for retrofit for commercial airplanes. The primary disadvantages of foam are weight, reduction of usable fuel, and the added maintenance complexity when the foam must be removed for tank maintenance or inspection. AIR4170 is an excellent reference for the use of ESF for fuel tank explosion protection.
Note that across the military and commercial aviation industry, different terminology has been used regarding fuel tank inerting.
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