Voyager

[MigBuster 2,884]

from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13125047

 

 

 

The largest RAF aircraft in history has arrived in the UK for the first time.

 

The new tanker and transport plane - named the Voyager - is almost 60m (197ft) long and has a 60m wingspan.

 

It is twice the size of a Lancaster bomber and will replace the VC-10 and Tristar aircraft. The RAF has bought 14 Voyagers and the first is expected to be in service by the end of the year.

 

The plane arrived at the MoD's airfield at Boscombe Down, Wiltshire, where further trials will be carried out.

 

It flew in from Airbus Industrie's factory near Madrid in Spain.

 

The Voyager, a converted Airbus A330-200 airliner, can carry 291 troops for more than 6,000 miles (9,600km).

RAF Voyager aircraft arriving in UK The new Voyager is twice the size of a Lancaster bomber

 

It can refuel another aircraft in the air with 100,000 litres of fuel, more than the amount contained by two large petrol tankers.

 

The Ministry of Defence said it can refuel at a rate of 5,000 litres per minute, compared with a pump at a garage that delivers fuel at 40 litres per minute.

'Important milestone'

 

Peter Luff, Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, said: "The arrival of the first Voyager aircraft in the UK marks an important milestone in the process that will see the Royal Air Force equipped with the best available air-to-air refuelling capability, with the first due in service by the end of the year.

 

"Recent events in Libya and ongoing requirement for air-to-air refuelling over Afghanistan clearly demonstrate the essential role that air-to-air refuelling plays in getting our aircraft to where they are needed."

 

Fourteen Voyager aircraft are being provided to the RAF under a 27-year, £10.5bn private finance initiative contract signed with the AirTanker consortium in 2008. The plane and its parts are being manufactured and assembled in France, Germany, Spain and the UK.

 

One of the Voyagers arrived at Boscombe Down on Monday, and two of the planes will be based there during an intensive programme of testing that will continue into next year.

 

Air Vice Marshal Phil Osborn, Air Officer Commanding 2 Group, said: "Over the next few years the Voyager will join the versatile A400M transport, C-17 strategic airlifter and well-proven Hercules transport aircraft to form an RAF fleet that can handle any task that comes its way in the future.

 

"I look forward to a successful trials programme that will keep the aircraft on track for delivery at the earliest opportunity."

 

The arrival of the Voyager comes as the armed forces face budget cuts and job losses over the next four years.

 

Under the strategic defence review announced last year, the RAF is to lose 5,000 jobs, with 1,020 going by September.

 

In addition, the Harrier jump jet and Nimrod reconnaissance planes will be scrapped, and some air force bases will close.

[Silverbolt 104]

wow, i didn't knew it was that HUGE :o

[+Gepard 11,308]

Is this plane newly built in the Tanker Cargo role or a modified airliner? The Luftwaffe use a similar bird which was converted in Dresden from a passenger plane.

Edited April 23, 2011 by Gepard

[Nesher 628]

congrats to them :)

what was the previous air tanker of the RAF?

 

congrats to them :)

what was the previous air tanker of the RAF?

[MigBuster 2,884]

Its a converted Airbus A330-200 airliner.

 

Replaces the VC-10 and Tristar.

 

They used to use HP Victors until about 1993

[Slartibartfast 153]

The last I heard about these was that the RAF was getting them on Lease... not being bought. As to what they are its an A330 whereas the Luftwaffe uses the smaller A310. It's also nearer the configuration that the USAF would have gotten if they had bought them instead of the KC-767.

 

Previous UK Tankers :-

 

Tristar (Current and even back in 1997 they where nearly at the end of their days went on one to the Falklands held together by duct tape... so it was safer than when it was brand new... )

VC-10

Victor

Vulcan

Valiant

 

Also the Lancaster was used in Trials

 

Also they can use the C-130H's and J's...

Edited April 23, 2011 by Slartibartfast

[DWCAce 19]

What the heck is a liter? j/k Too to hear that someone is actually getting a new-ish airplane for tanking.

[+SkippyBing 8]

As I understand it's essentially an A330 with the wing from an A340, which handily means the plumbing is already there for the refuelling pods.

I'm guessing its max take-off weight is lower than a C-17s?

[JediMaster 451]

Voyager? For a tanker? Doesn't seem apt. That would have been a great recon UAV name though.

[TX3RN0BILL 3]

Voyager? For a tanker? Doesn't seem apt. That would have been a great recon UAV name though.

 

Would you rather have it called Enterprise?

 

 

I find it funny though that they're wanting to improve their refueling capability when they cut back their vaunted short-legged fighters - the Harriers. Or does the RAF plan to open an aerial gas station? How many pounds per gallon?

 

 

[JediMaster 451]

Funny you phrase it that way when fuel is always measured in pounds and not gallons!

 

Anyway, there are plenty of other names they could've used for tankers. Note however that "official" tanker names like "Stratotanker" and "Extender" are totally ignored by the community. Everyone calls them KC-135s and KC-10s.

 

What are the names of some defunct gas companies they could use?

[macelena 1,070]

Looking at the budget constrains by the british military, i wouldn´t be surprised if in a future, far, far away, there is a V´ger entity wich, from the outer scrapeyard, trolls over the socialnetworks trying to find it´s creator. (See Star Trek 1979)