So the reason the AAR system does not work is that the pilots don't hit the basket fast enough. Right.
This issue has been on going for months and we are getting AAR critical in terms of tanker availability. No one is denying the fact that when it works it will be a very capable aircraft, it's just disappointing that as our VC10's are culled and the Tristar fleet remains on its knees, we have a capability gap looming that will mean depending on other nations assets. We have to support the Falklands, Q and Op Herrick before we even look at local AAR and exercise deployments. Red Flag early next year will be interesting with a rumoured 2 Sqns expecting to deploy. It took nearly 4 weeks to deploy just one Sqn with 2 tankers and no spares support this year and we will be at least 3? more tankers down by then.
Still, as it's allegedly the pilots and BAE's fault ( as they didn't provide 2 GR4's for the trials),then air tanker i assume will have no penalty to pay. Lucky them.