E-3F AWACS supplied in flight by the KC-767A

10/12/14

The Flight Experimental Department (RSV), after completing numerous test campaigns aimed at qualifying the in-flight refueling capacity, among others, of the French Air Force (FAF) Rafale and Mirage 2000 aircraft, has completed, for the first time in Europe, an experimentation activity on the supply system in flight with a rigid boom boom for the clearance of the French aircraft E-3F AWACS.

The program, activated at the request of the Air Force Staff, was given the highest priority due to its significant strategic importance. In fact, in-flight refueling operations are of strategic importance in the context of international cooperation activities and this capacity is guaranteed only after a delicate experimentation activity.

The RSV was involved as a leader in a project team that was based on the valuable contribution provided by the flight and ground staff of the 14th Wing, of the Direction Générale de l'Armement (DGA) Essais en Vol and the FAF.

For the need, the RSV and the French DGA have jointly conducted technical analysis on the ground and in-flight tests. Through the analysis activity it was possible to determine the conditions of altitude, speed and configuration to be tested, such as the refueling envelope, allowing a reduction in the hours of flight necessary to complete the next experimentation activity.

The test activity, carried out by 26 at the November 29, for a total of about 25 flight hours, had the aim to verify the flight quality of both the E-3F receiver aircraft and the aircraft boom KC-767A tanker, and to check the adequacy of the plant performance of the tanker-receiver coupling. In total, about 90 contacts were made by the Test Boom Operator of the RSV, both in normal and degraded conditions, aimed at identifying the optimal contact and disconnection envelope.

Following the successful conclusion of the experimental activity, daytime and night-time refueling operations will be permanently authorized throughout the refueling envelope. This will allow the operating departments to perform the flight refueling mission with the highest safety standards.

The French Air Force E-3F receiver is added to the aircraft already authorized as a receiver from KC-767A and will allow the Air Force to make usable a fundamental operational capacity to a growing number of NATO and non-NATO aircraft, taking a leading role in the context of joint operations with the other partner nations.

The Experimental Flight Department has the task of supporting the operational Departments of the Italian Air Force through the experimentation, integration and validation of the new weapon systems and those subject to modification. In particular, the Technical Group tests, in competition with the 311 ° Gruppo Volo and with the support of the Software Management Group and the Engineering Group for the Aero-Space, the Weapons Systems and the materials of aeronautical interest, it defines the changes aircraft, on-board systems and flight-related equipment and provides technical evidence for approval / certification.