A palletized hose and drouge system off the ramp of an OG Talon was tested back in the 80s. Drouge was too unstable because of the dirty air. So they put the refuel pods on.
A lot are overmanned on paper. Friend of mine was told by the "Chiefs group" that you need to forget about the airplane. He's like "but that's my job" they wanted to move him to a minimal flying billet to increase chances for promotion. So who takes up that slack? The on paper overmanned dudes.