Voyager achieves its first flight in RAF service

The first Voyager aircraft took to the skies on April 8, 2012, for its maiden flight under the command of an AirTanker crew to signal the commencement of the future strategic tanker aircraft (FSTA) service to the Royal Air Force (RAF). The FSTA programme is being delivered by the AirTanker consortium, of which Thales UK is a member.

The aircraft, a version of the Airbus Military A330 multirole tanker transport aircraft, took off from RAF Brize Norton for a training sortie around the UK to allow the AirTanker crew to familiarise themselves with the aircraft and achieve the first part of the Voyager crew training schedule.

The Voyager aircraft was delivered by Airbus Military to AirTanker at the end of last year and demonstrates a development in technology that will provide the RAF with an advanced air-to-air refuelling, passenger transport and aero-medical capability. As a modern and efficient airframe, Voyager is quieter and more fuel efficient than any other aircraft currently based at RAF Brize Norton.

AirTanker Services (ATrS), the service delivery company, is ready to support and operate the Voyager aircraft to Civil Aviation Authority standards. Based at RAF Brize Norton, ATrS has built a strong team including both civilian and military expertise.

AirTanker plans to deliver the full capability of 14 aircraft by 2016. The nine aircraft that form the RAF core fleet will be delivered by May 2014. The service will operate aircraft on both the military and civilian registers.