Originally Posted by
GLIDER 90
Hello All
How many hours could a Vulcan B2 fly without been refuelled in midair or on the ground, and what was the longest sortie without been refuelled flown if known?
Glider 90
I know this is not strictly within the spirit of the thread but, nonetheless, is a valid example.
In 1982, Black Buck 6 flew for a total of 6 hours 40 mins '
unrefuelled'. From its final AAR bracket south after 7 hours airborne from Ascension Island it spent almost an hour overhead Port Stanley to launch 2 Shrike missiles against a TPS-43 radar before returning north. On its only return refuel bracket with a Victor, it spoked the basket and broke its probe. Following an emergency diversion to Rio de Janeiro resulting in it successfully evading 2 Brazilian F5s after jettisoning its crypto, targeting material and films through the escape hatch at 43 000 ft, it landed with a total of 1500 lbs fuel remaining - one engine flaming out when taxiing in. The minimum landing fuel for a Vulcan after diversion was 8000 lbs, reduced to 4000 lbs for operations. A visual circuit required 1700 lbs. The previous Black Buck 5 SEAD mission lasted for 16 hours (albeit with AAR), 5 mins longer than Black Buck 1.