RAF tests Omega-owned tanker aircraft

[D-IFF_ident]

In the public domain - from Flightglobal.com:

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/06/20/224791/raf-tests-omega-owned-tanker-aircraft.html

I won't reproduce it all here, just this bit:

The RAF says the recent sorties were performed under a reciprocal agreement with the USN, which makes frequent operational use of its Lockheed TriStar and Vickers VC10 tankers. "It was not a case of there being a lack of available aircraft," it notes.

Which is interesting: there was no mention that anyone had suggested there was a lack of available aircraft, so why specifically say there wasn't? :cool:

[WhiteOvies]

Perhaps because they know that people on here would start a slow news day red-top story by saying there was??
Methinks the gentleman protests too much. ( or something like that);)

[FFP]

Each Tornado received a total of 8,170kg (18,000lb) of fuel through two contacts during the 3,700km (2,000nm)

Just 2 brackets ? For the northern sea track (I presume ?)

What were the abort airfields ? What system of fuel planning do they use ?

[BEagle]

No doubt they're well up to speed on RAPS?

My info. is that the RAF is using this private military contractor 'because of the VC10 capability gap'......

[dessert_flyer]

So could this be the first nail in a fast closing coffin??