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RAF Voyager demonstrates large aircraft refuelling capability

Image shows Voyager carrier aircraft on the airfield with RAF aviator looking on.

A Royal Air Force Voyager has demonstrated an often forgotten capability, by carrying out an air to air refuelling training sortie with a C-130J Hercules.

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The objective of the sortie was to provide training in the complex operational processes needed to refuel an aircraft in the air. The ability to do that is a key component of Royal Air Force flying operations. The Voyager is along with being a key element of strategic air transport for the RAF, it is also a duel role as the sole aerial refuelling aircraft meaning it is a true force-multiplier.

"Voyager is usually known for refuelling fast jet aircraft, acting as a force multiplier through extending their endurance on task three-fold.  However, in the context of C-130J operations, Voyager is more likely to be used to extend range, allowing the C-130J even greater reach without the need to land and refuel.  Training C-130J crews to safely receive fuel from Voyager remains as important now as ever."

Wing Commander Udall
Officer Commanding 101 Squadron

Image shows Voyager carrier aircraft on the airfield.

The concept of a force-multiplier means that as an aircraft the Voyager, has the capability to increase the combat potential of other aircraft by being able to refuel them when required.  This in-turn allows RAF combat jets, such as the Typhoon and F-35B, the ability to increase their time-on-task or range to conduct operations.

Image shows Voyager aircraft during air-to-air refuelling.

Air to Air Refuelling, also however allows larger RAF aircraft, such as the Atlas A400M and Hercules C130J, the ability to support humanitarian missions and airdrops in austere or difficult locations.  A recent example being when a RAF Hercules deployed to the Falkland Islands to conduct Exercise Austral Endurance.  This exercise saw the Hercules conduct a number of sorties dropping supplies onto the Sky-Blu Field Station in the Antarctic.

Image shows Voyager aircraft during air-to-air refuelling.

Without the Voyager, the Hercules would not have been able to reach Palmer Land, home of Sky-Blu and drop these vital supplies. Other examples were the enabling of C-130J humanitarian airdrops onto Mount Sinjar in 2014, and long-range parachute insertions into Eastern Europe that have been carried out over the last few years.

Image shows Typhoon and Voyager aircraft during air-to-air refuelling.

RAF Voyagers also train to conduct Air to Air Refuelling with other partner nation’s fast jets, USN EA-18 Growler, French and Qatari Rafales together with Canadian CF-18’s, being examples of refuelling sorties carried out this year.  Most recently RAF Voyagers have been conducting AAR sorties with USMC F/A-18 Hornets as part of the NATO Air response in Eastern Europe to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Voyager therefore remains a vital component of the air-mobility fleet which gives the RAF the ability to enhance the delivery of air power world wide.

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