RAAF KC-30A refuels next-gen F-15EX Eagle II

At Eglin, a RAAF KC-30A multi-role tanker transport aircraft refuelled the Eagle II and also continued testing with the F-15E Strike Eagle variant. At Edwards, a USAF KC-46A Pegasus aircraft refuelled a RAAF E-7A Wedgetail, also for the first time.

Between the two trials, hundreds of refuelling contacts were made.

“Our aim was to evaluate the KC-30A/F-15E and F-15EX pairs for air-to-air refuelling operations: are there flight conditions at which refuelling operations can be conducted safely?” Squadron Leader Alex Barbaro said.

“Flying one aircraft immediately behind another, making physical contact between these aircraft, and then transferring fuel between them can be risky, particularly when it is a new aircraft pairing. Things can go awry if you don’t approach it the right way.”

Barbaro, a flight test engineer, is the new RAAF Base Williamtown Flight Commander from the Aircraft Research and Development Unit (ARDU). His role was as Flight Test Lead for the KC-30A and F-15E Strike Eagle/F-15EX Eagle II trial at Eglin.

The KC-30A, meanwhile, is based on a heavily modified Airbus A330 airliner and undertakes air-to-air refuelling and strategic airlift duties. Australia has seven, which are operated by No. 33 Squadron and based at RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland.

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The KC-30A MRTT is fitted with two forms of air-to-air refuelling systems: an advanced refuelling boom system mounted on the tail of the aircraft and a pair of all-electric refuelling pods under each wing.

These systems are controlled by an air refuelling operator in the cockpit, who can view refuelling on 2D and 3D screens.

Specialist flight test teams at ARDU are regularly called upon for air-to-air refuelling clearance programs with international partners. Clearing the refuelling pairing leads to an increase in the range and endurance of the receiver aircraft.

“It was satisfying to see how seamlessly the USAF and RAAF teams integrated. Everyone was laser-focused on finding an operationally useful outcome,” Squadron Leader Barbaro added.

At Edwards, testing the RAAF’s E-7A Wedgetail with the USAF’s KC-46A Pegasus was a unique opportunity, as air-to-air boom receiver testing had not been conducted with Australian aircraft for about 10 years.

Squadron Leader Owen Hamilton was the outgoing RAAF Base Williamtown Flight Commander from ARDU and was the lead test pilot for the trials at Edwards Air Force Base.

“Air-to-air refuelling testing with E-7A hasn’t been conducted since the E-7A Wedgetail was certified with the KC-30A in 2015,” Squadron Leader Hamilton said.

“This was a great opportunity to ensure corporate knowledge of these campaigns is refreshed and maintained, should we need to do similar in the future.

“The testing leveraged results from previous air-to-air test campaigns to streamline the testing required to ensure the pairing was safe, efficient and fit for the mission.

“Testing involved flying the E-7A to the very limit of its performance, and to the extremities of the KC-46 boom limits, to confirm that operators will be safe if they ever inadvertently find themselves in these extreme positions.”

Now trials at Eglin and Edwards are complete, Defence said, there is work to be done back home to complete the findings.

This includes a large amount of data analysis and reporting by ARDU. This information is then provided to the respective Systems Program Offices and the US Aerial Refuelling Certification Agency.

“The expansion of air-to-air refuelling clearances directly enhances Australia’s interoperability with United States and allied partners and, by virtue, increases our ability to project and deliver air power,” Squadron Leader Hamilton said.