Britain's Air to Air Refuelling Capability
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Sneaking up on the Runway and leaping out to grab it unawares
Age: 61
Posts: 684
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It'd be interesting to compare the max speed of the KC-130J with the stall speed of the P-8A
IIRC only the 60 or so KC10s have a centreline hose. The boom on the KC135, and I assume any other boom tanker, can be fitted with a Boom Drogue Adapter. But if you are using a USAF tanker why not use the boom directly. The KC130 tankers have probe and drogue wing pods, so it would be a tad interesting refuelling a P8 from them.
The RAF’s selection of a degraded tanker means it can only refuel other aircraft using the drogue-and-boom system,
and so cannot refuel most US combat and support aircraft.
and so cannot refuel most US combat and support aircraft.
That said, and I might well be imagining this, but I'm sure I once saw a video somewhere of a boom equipped aircraft that had been modified with a drogue element at the end of the boom for probe/drogue ops. Would that be a potential solution? We've spent so much on these damned Voyagers that we may as well spend a little more if it means we actually get the full capability from all our fleets.
Melchett01: ....I'm sure I once saw a video of a boom equipped aircraft that had been modified with a drouge element...
Nicknamed the iron maiden, as the steel basket at the end of the hose was less forgiving than typical drougues.
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: England's green and pleasant land
Posts: 697
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It would be very beneficial to see the alternative receiver-type modification on Voyager. It "future proofs" the fleet and gives it utility with quite a lot of other countries that we might expect to assist. The problem is, in this climate, we can't afford to future proof anything really - it has to be needed now or very soon, with a robust BC to support it, or it gets no funding.
If we were to decide to buy a boom-type aircraft, I'm sure the mod would happen as a consequence. Who knows.
If we were to decide to buy a boom-type aircraft, I'm sure the mod would happen as a consequence. Who knows.
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Far far away
Age: 53
Posts: 715
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The A330 MRTT can be equipped with Boom, Wing Pods, Centreline hose and UARRSI all at the same time:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EADS/N..._Grumman_KC-45
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EADS/N..._Grumman_KC-45
Just had a Grizzly and a Fat Albert overfly Peterborough in a AAR type of formation.
The Albert was tucked in tight just behind the Grizzly.
The Albert was tucked in tight just behind the Grizzly.
Grizzly. Unofficial name for the A400. Same as Fat Albert/Albert for the Hercules.
Last time I saw a Grizzly over my house, Tom Cruise was strapped onto the outside!
Last time I saw a Grizzly over my house, Tom Cruise was strapped onto the outside!
[QUOTE=uffington sb;9371864]Grizzly. Unofficial name for the A400. Same as Fat Albert/Albert for the Hercules.
Last time I saw a Grizzly over my house, Tom Cruise was strapped onto the outside
