One of the two teams bidding for the UK Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) has chosen Smiths Aerospace to supply in-flight refuelling pods, opening the way for the displacement of the Royal Air Force's long-term incumbent supplier Flight Refuelling (FRL).
Tanker & Transport Service Company (TTSC) has selected the Smiths system for its bid, which is based on ex-British Airways Boeing 767-300ERs. TTSC comprises BAE Systems, Boeing, Serco and Spectrum Capital. TTSC says risk reduction was a key factor in selecting the refuelling system. Although the Smiths' system has not been flown it will enter service on Italian air force 767s over two years before the FSTAs would be delivered to the RAF in 2008. Smiths will supply fuselage centreline hose drum and wing mounted pods.
Boeing selected Smiths as standard equipment for its 767 tanker-transport programme in March (Flight International, 19-25 March).
Source: Flight International
