Aircraft fuel tanks, systems and methods increase an aircraft's fuel
capacity. The fuel tanks have a tank body defining an interior space for
holding aircraft fuel, and a relief manifold assembly operatively
associated to the tank body to prevent an overpressure condition within
the interior space of the fuel tank body. The relief manifold assembly
preferably includes a buffer vessel defining a buffer chamber in fluid
communication with the interior space defined by the fuel tank body. The
buffer vessel may advantageously be fixed to the tank body within the
interior space thereof. At least one of a fuel vent manifold assembly for
venting the interior space of the fuel tank and a fuel refill/transfer
manifold assembly for supplying fuel to and withdrawing fuel from the
interior space of the fuel tank. At least one control box (e.g.,
containing valves, pumps and/or sensors) external of the fuel tank may be
provided so as to fluid-connect the at least one fluid manifold assembly
to the main fuel system of the aircraft. A plurality of aircraft fuel
tanks may therefore be positioned adjacent to one another, preferably
within the fuselage (e.g., a cargo compartment) of the aircraft so as to
be disposed generally along a longitudinal axis of the aircraft.