RAAF tanker jet refuel F-35A Joint Strike Fighter in mid-air

THE RAAF has hit a milestone in the development of its $16 billion fighter jet fleet, with the successful mid-air refuelling of an F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

F-35 Aircraft AF-4 Australian KC-30 Tanker Test. First fuel transfer. *** Local Caption *** The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) 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. For Ian McPhedran story

The RAAF has hit a crucial milestone in the development of its new $16 billion fighter jet fleet, with the successful mid-air refuelling of a US Air Force F-35A Joint Strike Fighter.

One of the Air Force’s five KC-30A multi-role tanker transport planes conducted 59 successful hook-ups with the F-35A at Edwards air force Base in California, including five where about 20,000 kgs of fuel was transferred during the four-hour-long mission.

The refuelling operation used the KC-30A’s controversial tail mounted boom system that generated major headaches during the development phase.

One boom actually fell off a RAAF aircraft during testing in Spain.

The KC-30A jets use either the boom or two “hose and drogue” lines attacked to each wing and they can carry up to 100 tonnes of jet fuel.

Milestone ... One of the air force’s five KC-30A multi-role tanker transport planes conducted 59 successful hook-ups with the F-35A at Edwards air force Base in California, including five where about 20,000 kgs of fuel was transferred during the four-hour-long mission. Picture: Supplied

Both systems are being used during the aircraft’s deployment to the Middle East under Operation Okra where the tanker is refuelling a variety of coalition aircraft from the US, UK, France and Australia.

RAAF chief Air Marshal Leo Davies said the KC-30A was an essential force multiplier.

He said midair refuelling was critical for the global reach of RAAF aircraft, people and equipment.

“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,” Air Marshal Davies said.

“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.

Important step ... RAAF chief Air Marshal Leo Davies said the KC-30A was an essential force multiplier. Picture: News Corp

The RAAF is buying 72 F-35A stealth fighters with the first jets scheduled to arrive at RAAF Williamtown near Newcastle in NSW in late 2018.

The so-called “fifth generation” fighters will replace the RAAF’s fleet of 71 ageing F/A-18 Classic Hornet jets.