A Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Airbus Defence & Space A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) has conducted the service’s longest non-stop flight.
The sortie saw the aircraft – designated KC-30A in Australia – operate non-stop from RAAF Amberely to Jerez, Spain in 23.3h, according to the Australian Department of Defence (DoD).
There were 21 crew aboard the aircraft, including five pilots, who rotated flight duties to offset fatigue.
A second KC-30A enabled the effort by providing two air-to-air refuellings.
The aircraft, part of 33 Sqn, was in Europe to participate in air-to-air refuelling exchange activities with the French air force’s 31st Aeronautical Technical Support Sqn.
On the aircraft’s return journey to Australia, it was refuelled mid-air by both a French air force A330 MRTT and an RAAF KC-30A.
The long-distance flight follows the US Air Force’s 45h nonstop Boeing KC-46A flight earlier this year that saw the 767-derived tanker circle the globe. In addition to recieving fuel from other tankers, the USAF jet also refuelled other aircraft during the flight.
Separately, the Australian DoD says that a composite crew from the RAAF, UK Royal Air Force (RAF), Royal Australian Navy, USAF, and US Navy operated a Boeing E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft during recent training work in Northern Australia.
The aircraft, part of the RAAF’s 2 Sqn, worked alongside Lockheed Martin F-35As operated by 75 Sqn.
The work was part of training efforts for UK and US air crew, as the RAF and USAF prepare to operate the E-7A.
