RAAF considers aerial refuelling options

[dbromage@fang.omni.com.au (David Bromage)]

[Note: The purchase of 6-8 C-17s has been mooted to supplement the C-130s.
Has Boeing actively thought through a "KC-17"? - DB]


DPAO MEDIA RELEASE


DPAO 368/99             Monday, 20 December, 1999

DEFENCE CONSIDERS AERIAL REFUELLING OPTIONS

The Department of Defence is looking at a range of options to upgrade its
Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR) capability.

The RAAF currently operates a fleet of four Boeing 707 modified tankers
but these aircraft are ageing and only provide a training and limited
operational capability.

Project AIR 5402, as it is known, is investigating the available options
and expected to make a recommendation to the Government for approval in
the 2001 budget. The project is looking at two key issues - the level of
capability and choosing a tanker platform to ensure long-term support to
ADF aircraft.

The Project Director, Wing Commander Dave Newman, said options included
extending the current capability by refurbishing the existing B707
tankers, buying or leasing new generation aircraft or contracting the AAR
service out to industry.

Defence is liaising with Industry to identify the optimum method of
acquiring and delivering the eventual solution. Defence Headquarters and
the Defence Acquisition Organisation are using an Integrated Project Team
to evaluate three approaches; capital acquisition, leasing as it now does
with the VIP aircraft fleet, or a relatively new idea to Australia, based
on the UK-style Private Finance Initiative (PFI) process.

"This concept is similar to leasing, but allows the service provider to
defray costs by using any excess capacity on the commercial market, thus
reducing the net cost to Defence," Wing Commander Newman said.

In addition to identifying the best and most economical acquisition
process, project staff are also evaluating a range of refuelling options
and aircraft.

There are two AAR systems available. One uses a hose and drogue system to
refuel probe-equipped aircraft like the RAAF's F/A-18 fighters, and the
other system uses a boom to refuel aircraft like the F-111 and the future
AEW&C.

"Although the RAAF's existing tankers only use the hose and drogue system
to refuel the F/A-18s, AIR 5402 will look at the advantages of both
systems in considering future options," Wing Commander Newman said.

"One option to incorporate both systems would involve refurbishing the
existing B707 tankers, which have wing-tip hose and drogue pods, and
fitting a centre-line boom under the aircraft to refuel aircraft like the
F-111.

"To allow the tankers to operate with allied forces and refuel future ADF
aircraft, Defence is also considering the refuelling requirements of a
range of aircraft, including some not currently in Australian service."