Just how much fuel do you need for a combat mission?

Fuel management is one important factor, as for fighter pilots, because preservation of their flying machine is paramount as attrition replacements simply for running out of fuel in combat are hard to come by.

Why lose a multi-million dollar machine simply because you could not return to base or reach a tanker?

At least one fuel bag can help keep your plane aloft longer.

Many fighter aircraft fly with external fuel tanks to either get to the combat zone and spend more time on station before bingo fuel.

Is internal fuel merely enough?