The Airbus A400M airlifter has further proved its credentials as a tanker by successfully demonstrating simultaneous air-to-air refuelli...
The Airbus A400M airlifter has further proved its credentials as a tanker by successfully demonstrating simultaneous air-to-air refuelling of two F/A-18 fighters.
In the course of four flights, the A400M performed 74 contacts and dispensed 27.2 tonnes of fuel to the Spanish Air Force aircraft.
Refuelling was conducted using the Cobham 908E wing dispense equipment at altitudes of 20,000ft - 33,000ft, and airspeeds of 180kt - 300kt – the preferred refuelling envelope for fighters.
A400's basic fuel capacity of 50.8 tonnes which can be increased by the use of extra cargo hold tanks.
The standard A400M aircraft has full provisions for air-to-air refuelling (AAR) operations already installed and only requires the rapid installation of the optional air-to-air refuelling kit to become a tanker.
On a typical tanking mission where it would loiter for 2 hours at a range of 500 nm (930 km) from base, the A400M would have a potential “fuel give-away” of 34,000 kg (75,000 lb).
