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The Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport has successfully completed refuelling trials with the US Air Force’s (USAF) C-17A Globemaster III aircraft.
The RAAF KC-30A, which was operated from Edwards Air Force Base in the California desert, completed a sortie with the USAF aircraft during the trials.
A total of 39 contacts were made with the refuelling receptacle on the C-17A with the support of advanced refuelling boom system (ARBS) and transferred more than 6,800kg of fuel.
RAAF Number 86 Wing officer commanding group captain Adam Williams said: "The KC-30A is an outstanding platform and we are seeing it work towards full maturity as we expand the list of receiver aircraft types.
"The ARBS is a key enabler for the Air Force with most of the RAAF’s future fleet requiring boom type refuelling rather than hose and drogue.
"The successful refuelling with a USAF C-17A paves the way for trials with our own C-17A’s from No 36 Squadron in the near future."
Currently, a KC-30A aircraft is being operated by personnel from No. 33 Squadron, to conduct these trials.
The RAAF operates five KC-30A MRTTs, with two more expected to join the fleet in 2018.
It also operates a fleet of eight C-17A transport aircraft, the latest of which were delivered in 2015.
In November, the RAAF’s KC-30A completed refuelling trials with the USAF F-35A Lightning II aircraft.
Previously, an RAAF KC-30A refuelled a US Marine Corps (USMC) F/A-18C Hornet with engine trouble over Iraq, first of such effort by a RAAF aircraft over a war-zone.
Image: The RAAF operates five KC-30A MRTTs, with two more expected to join the fleet in 2018. Photo: Outisnn.
