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Everything you need to know about UK PM’s rebranded private aircraft

The UK Royal Air Force (RAF) last week revealed the new Union Flag livery of its VIP Voyager aircraft used to transport the Prime Minister and senior officials to overseas visits. But the Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport also remains an operational air-to-air refuelling and strategic transport aircraft.

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Repainted for £900,000 the VIP Voyager is also available to transport the British Royal Family on overseas visits. The RAF and the Government have said that the aircraft new UK paint scheme would promote the UK and the mission of ‘global Britain’.

When not being used for transporting members of the Government the VIP ‘Vespina’ Voyager remains an active part of the UK’s air-to-air refuelling and personnel transport fleet. The RAF said the new paint scheme stemmed from refurbishment plans laid down in the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR).

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The officer in charge of the project, RAF Air Commodore Simon Edwards said: “This project was a privilege to have been involved in and I am delighted to have seen it delivered so quickly and efficiently, together with our industry partners. The aircraft’s new paint scheme will better reflect its prestige role which we are proud to undertake.”

As the aircraft is part of the RAF, funding for the project came from the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) budget. In a written answer to Parliament, Defence Minister Jeremy Quinn said the RAF had ‘not raised any security implications’ in regards to the new paint scheme.

The VIP Voyager has been used for 25 ministerial trips since April 2016.

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All about the Voyager

The Voyager or Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT), is an Airbus-built tanker and personnel transport built on the body of the company’s commercial Airbus A330 passenger airliner.

The aircraft’s primary users include the RAF, Royal Saudi Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force and the United Arab Emirates Air Force.

In the UK, the RAF operates two variants; the KC2 Voyager which is equipped with two underwing refuelling pods, and the KC3 Voyager which adds a centreline hose that can be used to refuel larger aircraft like strategic bombers.

Unlike some aerial refuelling aircraft which include extra fuel tanks, the Voyager uses its existing fuel tankers for aerial refuelling; this means that the aircraft seating capacity and cargo hold are available for personnel and equipment or in the case of the VIP Voyager, official travel.

The VIP Voyager can carry 111 tonnes of aircraft fuel.

VIP Voyager on operations

Shortly after returning to RAF Brize Norton following its repainting, the VIP Voyager aircraft took part in Exercise Crimson Ocean where it refuelled Eurofighter Typhoons and Lockheed Martin F-35s while sporting its new livery.

Commenting on the exercise and the aircraft RAF Wing Commander Alistair Scott said: “The new livery looks superb but the reality is that flying this aircraft is no different to any of the other aircraft that make up the Voyager Force.

“It is capable of conducting the same essential defence tasks, not least of which is the air-to-air refuelling role that allows us to deploy our Typhoon and Lightning aircraft to every corner of the globe. Taking part in Exercise Crimson Ocean is a great opportunity to show what Voyager can do.”

No, the flag is not the wrong way round

When the aircraft paint job was revealed some were quick to believe that the Union Flag on the aircraft’s tail was the wrong way round, however, in reality, that is not the case.

The tail flag is designed to look as though it is flying from a flagpole on the nose of the aircraft. While one side of the flag may look as though it is the wrong way round, in reality, it is how the flag would look if it was flying.

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First Airbus arrives in UK for conversion into RAF Voyager

Cobham Aviation Services has received the first of 12 Airbus Military A330-200 aircraft at its Bournemouth facility for conversion into 'Voyager', the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft for the Royal Air Force.

In recognition of this programme milestone, Cobham Aviation Services hosted an opening ceremony on Friday for its newly-refurbished A330 Conversion Centre at Bournemouth International Airport.

The first two Voyager aircraft underwent conversion at Airbus Military’s facility in Getafe, Spain.

The remaining 12 future Voyager aircraft, a variant of the A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport, will be converted at the Bournemouth facility.

In all, the RAF will operate a fleet of 14 Voyagers by the second half of this decade to replace its existing fleets of TriStar and VC10 aerial refuelling aircraft.

Representatives from the UK Ministry of Defence, Airbus Military, AirTanker and other key companies attended, including Air Marshal Kevin Leeson, Chief of Materiel (Air), who said:

The conversions carried out at this tremendous new Cobham facility will turn Airbus A330s into the most capable military tanker transport aircraft of its type in the world, the third of which we are celebrating the arrival of.

Voyager will provide enhanced levels of availability, reliability and comfort for its passengers. Its 4,000-mile [6,400km] range, carrying 285 passengers and freight, will allow the UK to respond to world events with great speed.

The air-to-air refuelling systems will provide access to an impressive 111-tonne fuel capacity and enable Voyager to refuel a large variety of platforms, from Typhoon jets to A400M transports.

The Voyager conversion effort will create and maintain in excess of 100 direct jobs at Cobham into 2016, to be further increased through indirect jobs.

The activity also provides an excellent opportunity to train graduates and apprentices and help prepare them for a career in aerospace engineering.

Des Taylor, General Manager of Cobham Aviation Services, said:

Cobham looks forward to playing a key role in the AirTanker supply chain by providing and embodying its state-of-the-art air refuelling systems into the very capable A330 platform.

Under this five-year contract, Cobham has created more than 100 new, high-tech jobs in the Bournemouth area, including graduates and apprentices, to ensure that the RAF receives a 21st century in-flight refuelling capability.

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Refuelling systems

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As the most capable new-generation tanker, combat-proven and with unique multi-role capabilities, the A330 MRTT – based on the successful A330-200 – is the benchmark for multi-role tankers.

As a new-generation tanker, the A330 MRTT is a perfect replacement for older aircraft under fleet replacement programmes. With 76 total aircraft sales as of August 2023, the A330 MRTT has been ordered by Australia (as launch customer), France, NATO, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, the UK, Spain and Canada.

Orders & deliveries 

Defence Orders & Deliveries, including orders by country

A330 MRTT – Three missions in one

Refuelling mission

The A330 MRTT can carry up to 111 tonnes of fuel; this is the highest capacity of all tanker aircraft, even those with additional fuel tanks in the cargo deck. It has the capacity of offloading 50,000 kg of fuel to a broad range of receivers during a four-hour loitering mission at over 1,000 nm from its take-off point.

The A330 MRTT can carry a maximum payload of up to 45 tonnes, combining the passenger cabin and the lower deck: up to 300 passengers; MedEvac cabin layout with 40 stretchers, 20 seats for medical staff and 100 passengers; up to 37 tonnes of cargo in the lower deck; 27 LD3 containers or eight military pallets.

Deployment mission

Another typical mission is the deployment of fighter aircraft over a long distance. The A330 MRTT can support the deployment of four fighter aircraft plus 50 personnel and 12 tonnes of freight (luggage, spare parts and equipment) in one direct flight over 5,200 km, e.g. from Europe to Afghanistan.

 Key figures

The A330 MRTT is the most effective tanker based on its unmatched fuel capacity that allows it to offload more fuel at any given distance than any competitor. More fuel on-board means more flexibility, more range and longer time on station. Its enormous fuel capacity allows the A330 MRTT to act as a force multiplier, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of fast jets operations.

Refuelling capabilities of the A330 MRTT have been validated in testing operations with fighter and larger receiver aircraft, and were bolstered by Airbus’ 2018 agreement with Lockheed Martin to jointly explore opportunities to meet the growing demand for aerial refuelling for U.S. defence customers – with the A330 MRTT at its heart.

Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS)

To refuel receptacle-equipped aircraft such as the F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-35A Lightning II, or another the A330 MRTT (when fitted with a Universal Aerial Refuelling Receptacle Slipway Installation, UARRSI), the A330 MRTT is provided with the advanced Airbus Defence and Space Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS).

Its fast fuel flow rate (up to a maximum of 3,600 kg/min – 1,200 US gal/min) makes the ARBS the most capable new-generation flight-proven boom available. Excellent handling qualities are provided for the operation of the ARBS, rated as such by independent assessments.

Under-wing pods

Under-wing pods provide simultaneous hose and drogue refuelling at high fuel offload rate (1,300 kg/min – 420 US gal/min), allowing receivers to minimise refuelling time and increase operation efficiency.

The Cobham 905E under-wing pods, currently in service and proven in operation, enable the A330 MRTT to refuel any NATO or allied probe-equipped receivers such as the Eurofighter, the Tornado, the Jaguar or the F/A18 Hornet. The A330 MRTT physical compatibility with receivers across the world is established, demonstrated and certified to allow coalition interoperability.

The 900 series wing-pods incorporate a digitally controlled and electrically operated hose drum unit, optimising reliability and maintainability.

Fuselage Refuelling Unit (FRU)

Large probe-equipped aircraft such as the A400M or C295 can be refuelled at a high fuel offload rate of 1,800 kg/min – 600 US gal/min via the Cobham 805E Fuselage Refuelling Unit (FRU).

The FRU, a removable hose and drogue unit, allows refuelling receivers with a different fuel type. This option ensures NATO fuel type is transferred from wing-pods, while an alternative fuel type is dispensed from the FRU.

Those air-to-air refuelling (AAR) systems are controlled from an advanced Fuel Operator Console that is positioned in the cockpit, increasing the safety of the AAR operation by ensuring a timely and synchronised reaction of the flight crew to unexpected events. It also features an Enhanced Vision System, a high definition 2D/3D digital system that enables performing day and night refuelling and can provide high resolution video recording of the refuelling operations.

Multi-role strategic transport with global reach

With its true widebody fuselage, the A330 MRTT is ideal to carry any kind of military or humanitarian payload on strategic missions.

Furnished with an attractively modern design , the cabin is conceived to ensure optimum seating configurations in every class, maximising capacity and providing airline comfort . These features enable a complete range of interior configurations, from pure passenger and troop transport to the complex customisation required for VIP guests. For example, it can accommodate 266 passengers in a typical two-class configuration or some 300 in a single-class layout.

The A330 MRTT is capable of carrying a payload of up to 45 tonnes/99,000 lb . The versatility of the A330 MRTT enables cargo to be conveniently stored inside the lower deck in a variety of cargo options covering the full range of existing under-floor cargo containers and pallets, ranging from the LD1 to LD3 to LD6, as well as the standard 88×108 inch 463-L NATO military pallets. Some of the cargo can also be carried as non-palletised “bulk.” Commercial containers and pallets as well as military equipment and other large items are loaded through a cargo door.

The A330 MRTT is also an outstanding strategic aeromedical evacuation (MedEvac) aircraft. Its large fuselage permits maximum flexibility for up to 130 NATO stretchers to be carried over intercontinental distances. In a “light medevac” configuration , medical beds can be installed above designated fold-down seats. This allows the aircraft to be used as a troop transport on an outbound relief mission, with medical beds stowed in the lower cargo compartments, and then rapidly converted for MedEvac on the return. In an “Intensive MedEvac” configuration, critical care modules can be installed to replicate an intensive care unit in the air. The aircraft could typically carry 28 NATO stretchers, up to six critical care modules, 20 seats for medical staff and 100 passenger seats.

Getting SMART

The Airbus A330 MRTT has become the world’s first tanker to be certified for automatic air-to-air refuelling (A3R) boom operations in daylight following a successful campaign in collaboration with the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF).

Certified by the Spanish National Institute for Aerospace Technology (INTA), this capability is part of the new SMART MRTT developed by Airbus. The A3R system requires no additional equipment on the receiver aircraft and is intended to reduce air refuelling operator (ARO) workload, improve safety and optimise the rate of air-to-air refuelling (AAR) transfer in operational conditions to enable air superiority.

The certification of the A3R capability is the result of a successful journey that started in 2018 with the world’s first automated contact with a boom system in a joint operation with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Since then, we’ve achieved more aeronautical “world firsts” thanks to the support of our customers, especially with the key participation of our partner the RSAF, a launch customer and the first operator to benefit from this game-changing capability. The A330 MRTT continues to increase its technological advantage with superior air refuelling capabilities.

Refuelling Goes Automatic - SMART MRTT

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In-flight refueling tanker aircraft, united kingdom | 2012, "the royal air force expects to lease some fourteen french airbus a330 mrtt tankers under the voyager kc2 and kc3 designations.".

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United Kingdom unveils new livery on government Airbus A330 MRTT

The United Kingdom’s Government has revealed a new livery on its Airbus A330 MRTT of the Royal Air Force, which is used for official government and Royal transport. The aircraft, registration ZZ336, is one of ten Airbus A330 MRTTs operated for the Royal Air Force by contractor AirTanker Services.

Formerly painted all grey in line with all other aircraft of this type at the Royal Air Force, ZZ336 emerged from a paintshop in Cambridge wearing a new, mostly-white livery. Featuring a stylised Union Flag on the tail and ‘United Kingdom’ markings, the aircraft now is instantly recognisable.

The RAF Voyager “Vespina” has completed its refurbishment to provide a secure and suitably profiled transport for Government Ministers and the Royal Family. The aircraft now proudly displays the Union Flag alongside RAF markings. Read more: https://t.co/Zn0BzJOV1D pic.twitter.com/1TYLtoxAIJ — Royal Air Force (@RoyalAirForce) June 25, 2020

Known in the UK military services as the Airbus KC2/3 Voyager, ZZ336 has a unique cabin configuration from the other nine aircraft in the fleet (which have 291 economy seats). Featuring 58 business class and 158 economy seats, this allows the aircraft to transport Government ministers and members of the Royal Family to wherever the mission requires. When not being used for official business, the aircraft reverts to its conventional role as an air-to-air refuelling jet and transporter for the Royal Air Force.

The move to paint the aircraft in a bespoke livery has come under intense criticism, as the new paint job is reported to have cost £900,000. A significant amount of that sum, however, does include regular maintenance and what is believed to be some ‘military upgrades’. The British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, (the person set to see the most use of the aircraft) apparently requested the new livery as the previous grey was ‘boring’, and is better suited to representing the United Kingdom with its bespoke livery. Critics say that the move now makes the aircraft a more significant target, and that it was a waste of public spending.

The Airbus KC2/3 Voyager, based on the A330, took over official tanker/transport duty for the Royal Air Force in 2013, replacing the former fleet of Lockheed L-1011 Tristar aircraft.

Matt is a Berlin-based writer and reporter for International Flight Network. Originally from London, he has been involved in aviation from a very young age and has a particular focus on aircraft safety, accidents and technical details.

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Evacuated Afghan refugees can reunite in UK with families, government announces

‘afghans did right by us, and we will do right by them’, immigration minister says, article bookmarked.

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Afghans who became separated during the chaos of the Western evacuation of Afghanistan will be able to apply to reunite with their families in the UK under a new government scheme.

Refugees who have been relocated to the UK under the Home Office’s Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) for vulnerable and at-risk people will be eligible to apply.

Some 6,469 people have come to the UK under this pathway, including women’s rights activists, journalists and prosecutors.

Close family members eligible for relocation include the spouses and partners of Afghans already in the UK under ACRS. It also includes children who were under the age of 18 at the time of the evacuation. Afghan children who were evacuated without their parents will also be able to apply to relocate their parents or siblings to the UK.

Immigration minister Seema Malhotra announced the expansion of the scheme, saying: “It is our moral duty to ensure that families who were tragically separated are reunited and are not left at the mercy of the Taliban, which is why I have expanded ACRS so that those who were left behind can be resettled in the UK.

“Afghans did right by us, and we will do right by them, ensuring our system is fair and supports those most at-risk and vulnerable.”

MPs from all major political parties had been calling on the government to widen the ACRS scheme before the election.

Following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, the UK initially pledged to accept 20,000 people over five years under the Home Office ’s scheme for vulnerable Afghans.

Since the initial evacuation, the relocation of people to the UK has been slow, MPs have said.

Ms Malhotra said: “It’s been almost three years since the evacuation of Kabul, and yet there remains an urgent need to ensure that those who assisted our efforts in Afghanistan by upholding democracy, freedom and human rights, often at huge personal risk to themselves and their families can be reunited.”

Charities welcomed the announcement, with Refuge Council CEO Enver Solomon saying it is “hugely welcome”.

He added: “Over the last three years we’ve worked with many families who were torn apart in the chaos of evacuating Kabul. They will now have a way to be safely together again thanks to the swift action that has been taken by the government.

“For the children who have been apart from their parents for far too long, we know this will be life changing.”

Gunes Kalkan, head of campaigns at Safe Passage International, said: “Families have been waiting nearly three years for a long-promised way to reunite. This will be life changing for the parents and children who have been separated all this time.”

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RAF surges reserve Voyagers into service as operational demands grow

For the first time, the Royal Air Force (RAF) has surged two reserve Airbus A330-243 Voyager KC2/KC3 Multi-Role Tanker Transports (MRTTs) – operated by the AirTanker consortium – into active service to cater for growing operational demands over Eastern Europe.

The recently enacted move will temporarily increase the RAF’s eight-strong fleet of Voyager KC2/KC3 MRTTs to ten operational air-to-air refuelling (AAR)-capable aircraft, allowing the air arm to provide increased support to the NATO alliance, which is actively bolstering the security of its eastern flank following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The two aircraft that have been added to the RAF’s core fleet were already fitted for AAR operations and did not require any modifications before starting military operations from RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire.

Confirming the move to Key.Aero , an RAF spokesperson said: “Two AAR-capable aircraft have been temporarily added to the core fleet from AirTanker’s surge fleet, alongside members of the Sponsored Reserve aircrew, who are now flying as part of No 10 and 101 Squadrons… This is the first time the RAF has made use of contractual clauses that increase the number of Voyager aircraft available for operations.”

In March 2008, the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) announced it had selected the AirTanker consortium to provide 14 A330-243MRTTs to the RAF under a 27-year leasing contract, allowing the air arm to withdraw its ageing VC10 and TriStar tanker fleets from operational service.

This agreement included a so-called ‘core fleet’ – comprising eight military registered, AAR-capable aircraft (operated by the RAF) and a civil-registered example configured for passenger flights (employed by AirTanker) – which is supplemented by a ‘surge fleet’ of five civil-registered, AAR-capable A330-243s that are operated by the consortium to generate additional commercial revenue. These aircraft are held in reserve and can be called up to support military operations, when required.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, the RAF’s Voyager KC2/KC3 force has been busy supporting NATO operations over Eastern Europe, such as providing fuel to alliance fighters carrying out combat air patrols (CAPs) and ferrying troops and equipment to the region to bolster defences on the ground. Alongside this, the Voyager force has to maintain its other operational commitments, such as supporting the domestic Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) mission and RAF-operated Typhoon FGR4s that are deployed to support Operation Shader – the UK’s contribution to the collective fight against so-called Islamic State in Syria and Iraq.

• United Kingdom (UK)
• Airbus A330 MRTT
• Royal Air Force (RAF)
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Airbus Faces UK Criminal Probe Over Potential Export Control Breach

FILE PHOTO: The logo of Airbus is seen at the Airbus Defence and Space facility in Elancourt, near Paris, France, November 14, 2023. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/File Photo

By Tim Hepher

PARIS (Reuters) - Airbus is facing a criminal investigation in Britain into potential violations of export control rules involving several of its British entities, the aerospace group said on Tuesday.

The investigation emerged in footnotes to the company's half-yearly earnings, which said Airbus was fully cooperating with the probe by Britain's Revenue and Customs agency (HMRC).

"Airbus is working with all relevant authorities to ensure full remediation of all identified deficiencies," a spokesperson said in response to a Reuters query about the filing, adding that it was not expected to have a material financial impact.

A spokesperson for HMRC declined comment, citing a policy of never discussing ongoing or specific investigations.

Airbus said the decision to launch the probe followed an audit carried out by British export control authorities in 2022.

The British probe comes around nine months after the U.S. State Department formally lifted the threat of charges over alleged violations of export rules in the United States.

In January 2020, Airbus reached a trio of deferred prosecution agreements and agreed to pay record fines totalling 3.6 billion euros following broad investigations in Britain, France and the United States into allegations of corruption.

As part of the settlements, Airbus agreed to pay 9 million euros and set up a three-year monitoring plan to resolve findings by the State Department that Airbus had violated U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).

Airbus also agreed to appoint an export control compliance officer.

'NO LINK' TO RECENT U.S. CASE

ITAR is the official name for a 40-year-old set of rules governing the export of defence goods and data perceived to have implications for U.S. national security.

In 2017, Airbus said it had discovered and reported to U.S. authorities inaccuracies in past declarations to the State Department over the sale of goods and services under ITAR.

The ending of the three-year monitoring period was delayed to October last year after Airbus asked for more time to complete the process after diverting internal resources to ensuring it complied with Western sanctions against Russia.

Airbus also warned last year that the factual disclosures in the State Dept probe could spawn other international investigations, though a person familiar with the latest British investigation told Reuters the two cases were not related.

The British criminal probe puts Airbus back in the judicial spotlight, albeit on what so far appears to be a relatively limited scale, just as Boeing wrestles with the fallout from criminal probes into its handling of the safety of the 737 MAX.

The U.S. planemaker initially won a prosecutor settlement over allegations that it misled U.S. regulators over development of a software feature linked implicated in two fatal crashes.

But the U.S. Justice Department said in May that Boeing had breached its obligations in the agreement, and the U.S. planemaker last week finalised a guilty plea to a criminal fraud conspiracy charge and agreed to pay at least $243.6 million.

(Reporting by Tim Hepher and William James; Editing by Andrea Ricci and Stephen Coates)

Copyright 2024 Thomson Reuters .

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