Alongside its Pacific strategic partner, the US conducted a clearance trial to approve the complementary performance of a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) KC-30A multi-role tanker for two US airframes: the RC-135 Rivet Joint and the A-10C Thunderbolt II.
Australia provides critical support as a strategic ally in the vast expanse of the Indo-Pacific, where tensions between the US and China continue to grow. The trial occurred from Edwards Air Force Base, California, ahead of a prospective military confrontation with the regional aggressor to explore the flexibility and performance between platforms in both air forces.
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The RAAF detachment consisted of Aircraft Research and Development Unit flight test aircrew, including one qualified test pilot and four flight test engineers, a flight test system specialist, two contractor flight test air refuelling operators and other personnel from 33 Squadron, including aircrew and maintenance personnel.
The clearance trials were a result of three months of preparation to understand what data needed to be collected and the risks involved with testing.
Flight Lieutenant Jordan Smith, a qualified test pilot for the activity, claimed that nearly 450 contacts were made across both airframes during the air-to-air refuelling process. “A total of 412 contacts were successfully made between the KC-30A and RC-135 over eight sorties,” Smith stated.
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“The RC-135 works well as a receiver for the KC-30A as they are relatively stable in contact position and the fuel offload rate is reasonable for its size.”
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By GlobalDataAccording to GlobalData intelligence, the RAAF operates seven KC-30 aircraft, procured by the government between 2011 and 2018. The tanker is based on the Airbus’ A330 airliner that allows the Air Force to conduct air-to-air refuelling and provide strategic air lift.
Issues refuelling the Warthog
The US Air Force (USAF) also tested its A-10C Thunderbolt II (known as the ‘Warthog’ due to the platform’s distinguishable characteristics), designed for close air support, is “considerably slower than the majority of aircraft the KC-30A is compatible with,” according to a joint statement.
“However, the KC-30A also performs well at slower speeds, with 34 successful contacts made [with the Warthog] through one sortie.”
The A-10C offers “excellent manoeuvrability at lower airspeeds and altitude”, the USAF explains. while maintaining a highly accurate weapons-delivery platform.
Meanwhile, the Boeing RC-135 is a medium weight reconnaissance aircraft that can travel at a maximum airspeed of 540 miles per hour (870 kilometres an hour). The range and service ceiling of RC-135W is 6,500km and 39,000ft, respectively.
Following the trials, the KC-30A and Boeing RC-135 air-to-air refuelling data will be processed to make the final flight test assessments of the pairing for the USAF Flight Test Report.
This report will help facilitate a series of gateway checks and once the clearance has been approved by both countries, it will be documented for future use when conducting air-to-air refuelling with the pairing.
