Free Republic

£10billion spent on refuelling planes which don't work on RAF jets A £10billion fleet of refuelling planes for the RAF have been found to suffer leaks when they fill up British jets. Tests have shown connecting pipes leak on the Voyagers when they try to resupply Tornado jets - although they work fine when used by American fighters. It is feared the latest glitch to affect the aircraft, also used to evacuate battlefield casualties and transport troops, could delay their entry into service. The MoD agreed the PFI programme - the biggest ever - with Oxfordshire-based AirTanker for 14 planes....

IAF to get midair refueling tanker By YAAKOV KATZ 21/01/2011 Capability needed for possible strike on Iran; Boeing 707 will be converted into a midair refueling tanker. Bracing for a possible confrontation with Iran, the IAF is set to receive a major boost to its long-range capabilities later this month with the expected arrival of a Boeing 707 that will be converted into a midair refueling tanker. The air force bought the plane several months ago and it will be sent to Israel Aerospace Industries, where it will be reconfigured. RELATED: As Iran talks begin, Israel urges forceful action IAF...

Russia needs more flying tankers for its Air Force Topic: Vostok 2010 Operation and Strategic Training Russia's flying tanker Il-78, Su-24 fighter and Yak-130 The inter-theater redeployment of aircraft during Vostok-2010 was one of the key events of the strategic war games, which end today. The Su-24 Fencer and Su-34 Fullback tactical bombers used midair refueling to fly to the Russian Far East. In-flight refueling, routinely used by the world's leading powers, including the United States and NATO countries, allows for the quick build-up of air power in a given zone of conflict. To efficiently implement that maneuver, a country...