System and method for monitoring the degradation status of refueling hoses on air

A method for monitoring the degradation status of a refueling hose on air, the method comprising:

• providing an air refueling system comprising:
• a drum;
• a serving carriage formed in a manner to allow winding of the refueling hose in such a way as to avoid jamming by conducting the refueling hose to a location in the drum during winding or unwinding of the refueling hose;
• a monitoring system comprising a device comprising at least one sensor;
• wherein the monitoring system can be positioned by the air refueling system;
• and
• wherein the device is:
• mounted on the serving carriage;
• or
• a ring that partially or completely surrounds the refueling hose and to move longitudinally along the refueling hose so that an entire length of the refueling hose can be monitored, the ring being moored to the serving carriage for being driven by the serving carriage;
• winding the refueling hose into the drum or unwinding the refueling hose from the drum such that the refueling hose is moved with respect to the device comprising the at least one sensor;
• producing data about an external surface of the refueling hose from the at least one sensor;
• and
• analyzing the data to monitor the degradation status of the refueling hose.