Air International 2013-11
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Tankers (2)
T-264 refuels an F-16AM from 311 Squadron over north­ern Afghanistan in November 2004, while deployed to Manas AB in Kyrgyzstan.
KDC-10s are used to air refuel fighters on deployment, and have supported trans-Atlantic deliveries of surplus RNLAF F-16AMs sold to Chile, including these examples in August 2011.
T-235, the oldest KDC-10, was built in 1976 and had flown over 80,600 hours by mid-2013.
The KDC-10 has a maximum take-off weight of 565,000 lb, including up to 245,566 lb of fuel.
T-264 seen at Eindhoven as the fog clears on a winter morning.
The aerial refuelling boom fitted to the KDC-10 can extend to a maximum length of 15m (49ft).
The pilot director lights underneath the fuselage indicate the movement required to correctly position the receiver aircraft for contact with the boom.
A fairing under the aft fuselage houses the five TRVS cameras.
RNLAF personnel board KDC-10 Jan Scheffer for their flight to Afghanistan.
The KDC-10s and DC-10 operated by 334 Squadron are the largest aircraft in RNLAF service.
The KDC-10 flight deck now features multi-functional displays following the recent cockpit upgrade.
The analogue flight deck of T-264, seen in April 2012 prior to its upgrade.
The RARO station is located immediately behind the cockpit, from where the boom is operated by the boomer with joysticks.
Unlike the KDC-10s, 334 Squadron's DC-10-30CF does not have a passenger compartment in its spacious cabin.
A French Air Force Mirage 2000-5 refuelling from a KC-130J.
No.10 Squadron commenced regular North Sea tow line operations with Tornado GR4s in May 2013.
Voyager’s release to service for air refuelling the Typhoon was issued in August 2013.
Top: Voyager’s camera system improves the situational awareness for the mission systems operator.
Middle and bottom: The Cobham 805E FRU can dispense fuel at a rate of 1,800kg/min, and installed on Voyager KC3s to refuel large receiver aircraft.
A pilot's view of the Sargent Fletcher hose and drogue extended from a 905E wing air refuelling pod.
Two views of the 905E wing air refuelling pod.
A Voyager KC2 parked on the flight line at RAF Brize Norton during a snowy day in January 2013.
Voyager is available to the RAF around the clock. In August 2013, No.10 Squadron held UK Quick Reaction Alert for the first time.
Voyager’s flight deck and glass cockpit.
An F/A-18E Hornet taking fuel from the port drogue unit deployed by a KC-130J. Tactical refuelling operations are only one aspect of Marine KC-130J operations.
AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-surface missiles hanging under the wing of a Marine Corps KC-130J Hercules, already adorned with an impressive scoreboard of strikes on its front fuselage.
A KC-130J of VMGR-252 equipped for the air-to-air refuelling role with both outboard pods.
The HC-130J Combat King II is an integral part of the US Air Force's personnel recovery mission, providing airborne command and control and support to rescue forces, as well as refuelling the rescue helicopters so they can reach the area of operations.
The HC-130J is equipped with a non-retracting AN/AAS-52 forward looking infrared sensor under the nose to improve visibility in poor weather conditions.
An armourer makes the final preparations to four ACM-114 Hellfire missiles mounted on a weapons station. The addition of air-to-surface weapons greatly increased the KC-130J's flexibility, increasing the number of options available to support troops on the ground.
An AN/AAQ-30 Target Sight System, designed for the AH-1Z Viper, can be mounted on the rear of a KC-130J’s external fuel tank to allow the aircraft to undertake surveillance and designation of targets.
HC-130J 09-0109 was the 200th C-130J Hercules to be delivered by Lockheed Martin.
The US Marines have 45 KC-130Js in service, with three more on order.
Refuelling the refueller - topping up the tanks of a KC-130J Hercules.
The Raytheon AGM-176 Griffin was designed with a small warhead for irregular warfare, including strikes in urban areas. Containers with ten missiles are attached to the rear ramp of the KC-130J Harvest Hawk.
Like all members of the C-130J family, the HC-130J has a digital cockpit with five primary displays, all NVG compatible.
A pilot of the ‘Nightstalkers’ (415th Special Operations Squadron) keeping formation with a second HC-130J.
The KC-130J is equipped with an electronic flight deck, allowing a significant reduction in the number of crew members.
The combat systems operator sits behind the pilots, and is repsonsible for monitoring fuel and navigation, as well as controlling refuelling operations.
The modular Harvest Hawk control station installed inside a KC-130J Hercules.
Sargent Fletcher/Cobham 48” Series Wing Air Refueling Pod
The first KC-46 boom under construction at the tanker boom assembly center at Boeing Field, Seattle.
On June 26, 2013 Boeing workers loaded the first wing spar for a KC-46 into the jig at Everett.
Rear-right and front-right views of a KC-46 with the aerial refuelling boom extended.
Side & plan view of the KC-46