Powered by MOMENTUM MEDIA
australian aviation logo

Airbus, RAAF perform first large aircraft automatic air-to-air refuelling

written by australianaviation.com.au | July 23, 2018

A supplied image of the automated tracking between the A310 and KC-30. (Airbus)
A supplied image of the automated tracking between the A310 and KC-30. (Airbus)

The first automatic air-to-air refuelling (A3R) contact between two large aircraft was successfully completed on June 20 by an Airbus A310 MRTT test aircraft and an RAAF KC-30A MRTT off the coast of Spain.

Seven successful contacts were made between the two aircraft. The successful development follows a successful test earlier in 2018 where the A310 successfully made A3R contact with a Portuguese Air Force F-16.

The RAAF is collaborating on the A3R development with Airbus. The program aims to remove operator workload and improve safety in air-to-air refuelling.

During initial approach of the receiver, boom control is performed by the tanker’s Air Refuelling Operator (ARO).

Passive techniques such as image processing are then used to determine the receiver’s refuelling receptacle position and when the automated system is activated, a fully automated flight control system flies and maintains the boom aligned with the receiver’s receptacle.

==
==

The telescopic beam inside the boom can be controlled manually by the ARO, or by a relative distance-keeping mode, or using full auto-mode to perform the contact.

“It was extremely impressive to see how accurately the A3R system tracks the receiver,” the A310’s ARO David Piatti said in a statement.

“It can be very useful to be able to refuel another tanker or transport, for example to extend its deployment range or to avoid taking fuel back to base, but it is also a challenging operation and this system has the potential to reduce workload and the risk involved.”

VIDEO: A look at the A3R between the Airbus A310 MRTT and RAAF KC-30A MRTT from the Airbus website.

The trial was conducted in conjunction with Test Pilots and Flight Test Engineers from the RAAF’s Aircraft Research and Development Unit (ARDU) based at Edinburgh.

“It’s very encouraging to come to Spain and see the progress that’s been made with A3R, and be able to witness it firsthand refuelling our KC-30A,” ARDU Executive Officer SQNLDR Lawry Benier added.

“Refuelling large receivers is a role RAAF has conducted extensively on operations and exercises, allowing us to extend the reach and responsiveness of our air mobility fleet, as well as keep surveillance aircraft in the air for longer.”

You need to be a member to post comments. Become a member today!

Comments (6)

  • R82102Sgt Eng W.GSalt.retired

    says:

    As an ex RNZAF Flight engineer I was thinking this automatic hook up system would be brilliant and very greeny oriented if the systemcould be attached to the dump mast and a suitable reciever aircraft could be called up to remove enough fuel to get the aircraft down to max landing weightthus saving the fuel and the enviroment.We had to fly around buurning off fuel and engine and airframe life and generslally wasting everyones time

  • Michael Giles

    says:

    Is it RAF or RAAF?

    • Andrew

      says:

      Michael – RAAF

  • Mick C

    says:

    FAAF

  • Corey

    says:

    Was the KC-30A the 7th yet to be delivered to the RAAF or one currently in our fleet flown over there for the testing? Gee I hope RAAF get 5 additional tankers for a fleet of 12!

  • Peter

    says:

    Corey, Does it make a difference ?

Comments are closed.

You don't have credit card details available. You will be redirected to update payment method page. Click OK to continue.