What benefit does air refueling provide for military aircraft?

Air refueling primarily benefits military aircraft by allowing them to remain airborne for extended periods. This capability is crucial for various operational scenarios, as it enables aircraft to conduct longer missions without the need to land for refueling. Maintaining air superiority and executing missions effectively often requires sustained loiter time or extended range, both of which are significantly enhanced through aerial refueling.

By allowing aircraft to take on fuel mid-flight, air refueling supports strategic deployments, increases operational flexibility, and enhances mission readiness. This operational agility is vital in combat situations where time and resource efficiency can determine mission success.

Other options focus on aspects that do not align with the primary functionalities of air refueling. The ability to refuel while on the ground does not reflect the nature of refueling operations conducted in flight. The idea that it reduces the weight of the aircraft is misleading, as air refueling does not inherently change the weight at takeoff; it simply extends operational capabilities. Lastly, while helicopters can also benefit from aerial refueling, it is not limited to them; various military aircraft types utilize this capability across the spectrum, making the claim that it increases range only for helicopters inaccurate.