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SL 03

 

Memorandum from AirTanker

 

AirTanker fully understands the importance to the RAF and (especially) to personnel involved in the ongoing campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan of having at its disposal a fleet of reliable and capable air transport aircraft. We are therefore proud to have been chosen by the MOD to provide the RAF with a fleet of new, modern, highly reliable, commercially proven Airbus A330-200 aircraft equipped with modern Defensive Aids Suites (DAS) and capable of carrying 300 passengers under the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) programme

 

Background

i. AirTanker has been in discussion with the MOD about providing a replacement for its air transport (AT) and air-to-air refuelling (AAR) service since 2001. Throughout this period, the pressure on the existing fleet of VC10s and Tristars has increased inexorably. Despite the herculean efforts of the RAF, it is inevitably proving more and more difficult and expensive to keep the extant fleet in the air. Recently, there has been widespread media coverage of the delays which troops en route to or from such theatres as Iraq and Afghanistan have been forced to endure; and there are numerous anecdotal examples of the damaging effect which this has had on morale.

 

ii. AirTanker will operate a fleet of 14 converted Airbus A330-200 tanker transport aircraft, and provide integrated all-inclusive services, enabling the RAF to utilise these aircraft in both AAR and AT roles in all scenarios. The RAF is able to fly and retain full operational control of the aircraft, which are provided under a PFI service.

 

iii. AirTanker anticipates contract signature by the end of 2007, with the first aircraft entering service in 2011; the 27-year contract will ensure the availability of the capability until 2034.

 

Step-Change in Aircraft Availability and Reliability

iv. Arguably the greatest difficulty currently afflicting the RAF's air transport capability is the (inevitable) reliability problems resulting from a VC10 and Tristar fleet which has been in service for many decades. The availability levels and reliability of the FSTA service will provide dramatic improvements. AirTanker's modern aircraft and the accompanying dedicated service delivery organisation (supported by state-of-the-art arrangements with the companies who produce the equipment) will provide the RAF with a step-change in levels of availability and reliability - we are underwriting performance levels which are better than those of the world's best airlines.

Significant Improvement in Air Transport Capability

v. The A330-200 is a modern, wide-bodied aircraft, and the market leader in its long-haul commercial passenger segment. The aircraft will be significantly more capable than the VC-10 and TriStar, and will thus provide the RAF with a new standard in air transport.

· The modern, comfortable, fully equipped passenger cabin provides some 300 seats - 44 more than the Tristar C Mk 2.

· The cargo holds are fully available for the widest range of pallets and containers, including up to 8 military pallets.

· The RAF will fly FSTA Aircraft equipped with modern 'switch on and forget' DAS and Link-16 communications systems.

· For aeromedical evacuations up to 40 stretchers with ancillary medical support can be carried.

· FSTA's range will enable direct flights from the UK to more destinations, reducing journey times and stop-over requirements. For example a FSTA can take its 43 tonnes maximum payload (which corresponds to 300 fully equipped soldiers in addition to 8 tonnes of payload) 4100 nm - from RAF Brize Norton to destinations well beyond the Middle East.

 

 

Fully-Flexible Fleet and Service

vi. The FSTA Service will be fully flexible.

· From the moment the MoD accepts the first aircraft, the RAF can, at its discretion, task any FSTA aircraft for AAR or for AT.

· The air transport capability of the FSTA fleet is not compromised by its AAR role equipment, as the fuel for refuelling is carried within the existing fuel tanks. With no reconfiguration required, the aircraft can be assigned quickly to either AT or AAR roles, or can undertake combined roles on a single mission.

 

 

Conclusion

vii. The flexibility, capability and availability offered by AirTanker means each aircraft can be significantly more productive than those in today's fleet and markedly improves the customer experience of passengers. It is already widely recognised that FSTA will modernise the RAF's vital AAR capability, and we believe that it will be become increasingly understood that it will also bring about a profound and much-needed improvement in the RAF's strategic lift capability.

 

2 April 2007