The Airbus C295 performs the first refuelings in flight as tanker

(To Airbus)
30/01/20

The Airbus C295 tactical transport aircraft successfully completed its first in-flight refueling during flight tests as an air-to-air tank (AAR). The first "dry contacts" of this flight test took place in December 2019 and were achieved using a closed ramp configuration, a 100-foot hose and a remote vision system. In-flight refueling, conducted from Seville, Spain, took place in January 2020 between an Airbus C295 aircraft in tanker configuration and a C295 of the Spanish Air Force which acted as a receiver, with a flight speed of between 100 and 130 knots .

In total, the aircraft equipped with the removable AAR kit, performed five refuelings by transferring a total of 1,5 tons of fuel. The tests were conducted in natural light conditions.

"The degree of difficulty in flight tests is always high because it involves performing maneuvers that no one has ever done before. It should be noted that, thanks to the positive behavior of the aircraft, the operation was good and precise," he said Captain Gabiña, the pilot of the Spanish Air Force who participated in the test campaign.

The test program also included night flight operations and the successful proximity test in pre-contact position with a Spanish Air Force F18 fighter at a flight speed of 210 knots.

These tests will extend the C295's tactical operations versatility to include refueling missions for helicopters, transport and combat aircraft.