RAF Tornados Incompatible with New Tanker

A fleet of supersize refuelling planes meant for the RAF have hit a huge setback:

they don’t work on British jets. Tests have revealed the giant new Voyager air-to-air tankers are not compatible with RAF Tornados. The connecting pipes, which join aircraft together in flight, leak when fuel is pumped through them.

It is a massive setback for Defence Secretary Philip Hammond and the MoD, which signed a £10billion deal with makers AirTanker for 14 Voyagers.

Some inside the MoD are starting to fear the Tornado issue could delay delivery of the entire fleet. Nine of the planes are due to be in service as early as 2014.

The Voyager is a military version of the Airbus 330 and has a dual role as a troop carrier capable of transporting 400 soldiers.


Source: British Forces Broadcasting Service; posted April 5, 2012

Photo: Voyager air-to-air tankerPlanes Don’t Work for RAF (iho.hu)

(5.04.2012)