Aviation Articles

Omega KDC-10 tanker refuels deployed USAF F-16Cs in new first

The USAF recently conducted the first commercial air-to-air refuelling of F-16C Fighting Falcon fighters while supporting a deployment in the Indo-Pacific theatre

Travis AFB becomes sixth USAF base to welcome KC-46A Pegasus

Boeing resumed deliveries of KC-46A Pegasus tankers to the USAF on July 28 following a hiatus that began in March, when a problem with the aircraft’s centre fuel tank was discovered

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Canada buys more CC-330 Husky tankers in bid to bolster aerial refuelling capabilities

Canada’s Minister of National Defence Anita Anand announced on July 25 that the nation has purchased four new Airbus A330 MRTTs – along with a further three used A330-200s – for approximately CA$3.6bn (US$2.7bn), as it moves to recapitalise its air-to-air refuelling capabilities and enable the Royal Canadian Air Force to replace its ageing CC-150 Polaris fleet

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USAF marks 100 years of air-to-air refuelling in Op Centennial Contact

To honor the centenary of its air-to-air refueling (AAR) capability, the USAF conducted a series of tanker-focused flyovers across all 50 US states, as well as some of its deployed locations, as part of Operation Centennial Contact on June 27

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What it’s like to fly aboard a USAF KC-135R during an air-to-air refuelling mission

AirForces Monthly was invited by the USAF 100th Air Refueling Wing to join them on a mission over the North Sea from their base at RAF Mildenhall. Photographer Tom Williams went along for the ride

Brazilian KC-390 completes first aerial refuelling mission

Embraer’s KC-390 Millennium tanker-transport has marked a major operational milestone in Brazilian service, after the Brazilian Air Force completed the type’s first official air-to-air refuelling mission on August 9

Arkansas nets LMXT tanker boom refuelling system deal

Lockheed Martin and Airbus announced on May 18 that the aerial refuelling boom system for the LMXT strategic tanker aircraft will be manufactured by Airbus in western Arkansas

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The story of RAF Hercules air-to-air refuelling in the Falklands

Giving the RAF’s Hercules transport force its own air-to-air refuelling capability was a boost for its commitment to the South Atlantic theatre in the aftermath of the 1982 war, as a former ‘Herc’ pilot relates

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USAF risks bearing costs of future KC-46 delays

The US Government Accountability Office has recommended that the US Air Force fully test the KC-46A tanker programme’s remote vision system before the technology enters service in order to address previously highlighted deficiencies

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IN PICTURES: USAF B-1Bs perform maritime mission over Europe

USAF-operated Rockwell B-1B Lancers from the 9th EBS conducted air-to-air refuelling operations ahead of a counter maritime mission with NATO allies and partner nations in the Black Sea region on October 19. We joined the 100th ARW to witness the in-flight refuelling first-hand