RAAF F-35A is standard USAF kit. Another reason why our KC-30A's have both hose and boom. The E737 AEWC and C-17 both are boomers as are the tankers. Fox 18 etc can use hoses..:} The C-130 can be fitted with Boom receptacle and according to a friend we probably will option the boom mod for the P-8 [if and when] The C-27J is a hose job so we have most bases covered.

Don't knock it... Brit Tornado drivers are too timid.

Seat the probe in the basket firmly!

IN FOCUS: Shared Voyager delivers the RAF's new tanker/transport

Digging deep into memory, there is a kit you can put on any USAF tanker (sounds like "mippers" though I forget the actual acronym) that renders either boom or basket method viable. Good for joint ops. (EDIT: Multiple Point Refuelling System, MPRS, under wing kit that allows a boom equipped tanker to also refuel drogue/probe equipped aircraft).

EDIT:

Hmm, interesting to note that most KC-135's have the drogue mod/kit equipped. Or maybe you have to make that decision before take off. (Why can't I remember any of this? Old age?)

The P-8A has a boom receptacle as standard fit.

Possibly because it's not going to do you much good refuelling a P-8 from a Super Hornet...

:ok:

That mental picture had me chuckling. :D

Drifting off-topic, but... it would be challenging to refuel the C-27J off the KC-30A hoses. There is no centerline hose, while the Spartan has a wingspan of around 28m, the KC-30A measures about 60m. The hoses are somewhere inside that wingspan so aircraft separation would be a problem.

Back to the F-35 - there has been no public indication of the RAAF considering probes for their order. AFAIK there has been no non-public indication either ;)

You mean something like this? :

http://www.naval-history.net/WXMemoi...0plug%20in.JPG

Due, I hear, to the fact that the USN didn't know that there's no real problem when prodding with a 737-size aircraft.....:rolleyes:

Didn`t a **-10 do some from a Kiwi A-4..?

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...iGpvCQZAC1XUT9

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_2...%20Tristar.jpg

A330MRTT / KC-30A refuels F-35A / JSF
 

DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE

First refuel for RAAF KC-30A refueller to F-35A (JSF)
http://images.defence.gov.au/S20152721

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has completed the first fuel transfer with the air refuelling boom from a RAAF KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) to a US Air Force (USAF) F-35A Joint Strike Fighter at Edwards Air Force Base in California. A total of 59 contacts were conducted of which five contacts transferred 43,200 pounds of fuel during the four hour sortie.

Chief of the Air Force, Air Marshal Leo Davies AO CSC, described the trial as a significant step in the development of the KC-30A’s capability.

“Our KC-30A is an essential force multiplier. Mid-air refuelling is critical to ensuring global reach for our aircraft, our people and our equipment,” Air Marshal Davies said.

“Refuelling between the KC-30A and F-35A is an important step towards the KC-30A’s achievement of Final Operational Capability (FOC) and represents continued progress in the development of the F 35A.

“This achievement is significant because the future of Australia’s air combat capability is reliant on the successful partnership between these two aircraft and our ability to be interoperable with our international partners,” Air Marshal Davies said.

The KC-30A has two refuelling systems – the hose-and-drogue and Advanced Refuelling Boom System (ARBS). The two different refuelling systems allow RAAF to support a wide range of coalition aircraft on Operation OKRA where a KC-30A is currently deployed to support combat operations against Daesh in Iraq and Syria.

The five KC-30As are based at RAAF Base Amberley (QLD) and Air Force will receive an additional two in 2018. A single KC-30A can carry a fuel load of more than 100 tonnes and remain 1800 kilometres from its home base with 50 tonnes of fuel available for offload, for four hours.

Australia has committed to 72 F-35As for RAAF Bases Williamtown and Tindal, with the first aircraft arriving in late 2018. The F-35A will replace the ageing F/A-18A/B Hornet with a 5th-generation networked fighter aircraft.


Media note:
Details of FOC is available at Capability - Royal Australian Air Force

Imagery is available at http://images.defence.gov.au/S20152721

Media contact:
Defence Media (02) 6127 1999