The Royal Australian Air Force completed its first flight refueling from a KAF-30A RAAF multi-role transport aircraft to a US Air Force F-35A at Edwards, California's US base. In a sortie of four hours 59 contacts were performed in total, 5 of which allowed the transfer of 19,500 kg of fuel.
The Chief of Staff of the Royal Australian Air Force, General Leo Davies, described the evidence as an important step forward in the development of KC-30A capabilities.
"Our KC-30A is a fundamental force multiplier. In-flight refueling is a key component in ensuring a global reach to our aircraft, troops and crews, ”commented air marshal Davies.
"The refueling between the KC-30A and the F-35A is an important step towards achieving the Final Operational Capability (FOC) of the KC-30A and marks further progress in the development of the F-35A.
"This milestone is significant because the future of Australia's combat capability depends on the successful combination of these two aircraft and the ability to be interoperable with our international partners," added Davies.
The KC-30A has two systems for in-flight refueling - the system Hose-and-Drogue andAdvanced Refueling Boom System (ARBS) - which will allow the RAAF to support a wide range of allied aircraft during the OKRA operation where a KC-30A is currently deployed to support combat operations in Iraq and Syria.
The five KAF-30As of the RAAF are stationed at the Amberley base and in the 2018 two more will be added. A KC-30A alone can carry a fuel load of more than 100 tons and is able to stay for four hours at a distance of 1,800 km from the base with 50 tons of fuel available.
Austalia has engaged in the purchase of 72 F-35A for the Williamtown and Tindal bases, where the first fighters will arrive in the 2018. The F-35A will replace the old F / A-18A / B Hornet with a fifth generation netcentric aircraft.
