A hose in the sky

摘要

The RAF currently operates six TriStar K/KC.l and 16 VC10K tankers for air-to-air refuelling (AAR). These are to be replaced by a fleet of 14 new Airbus A330-200s under a PFI signed with the AirTanker consortium comprising Cobham, EADS, Rolls-Royce, Thales UK and Babcock Group. Procured under the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) programme, the RAF will not own the aircraft but will effectively operate 'a hose in the sky' as if renting from a car hire firm. The multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) aircraft - owned by AirTanker although they will fly in RAF 'colours' on the Military Register - will undertake commercial air transport work when not subject to operational AAR requirements. Each FSTA A330-200 will customarily carry up to 108 tonnes/135,000 litres of aviation fuel. The total fuel dispensing rate from the aircraft is about 80 litres per second - the wing pods alone refuel twice as fast as a Fl pit stop.