If FSTA will have a centreline hose to allow large aircraft to refuel, will there be enough clearance from the engines, airframe turbulence?
The 767 and A330 will have much larger engines than current RAF platforms, the VC-10 seems ideally configured (not implying it should stay!) and
AFAIK the Tristar has to reduce power to avoid issues. Also if they have a higher Max weight will this could create much more turbulence for the receiver? As our other large aircraft are a bit slower, will FSTA have to increase it's AOA? Does anyone use tankers with a similar configuration to FSTA to refuel large aircraft using probe and drogue? The US are the only Force I can think of who routinely refuel large aircraft, I'm guessing the flying boom reduces any power/turbulence issues, I have seen photos of US aircraft hanging a basket off the boom when required, wouldn't this allow much more flexiblity? Will the current FSTA configuration provide the safest and easiest method of refuelling large aircraft, or have we just asked for something like we already use?
I'm sure someone will say of course the companies have done all the calculations, however we have seen the odd howler get through in the past.