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Voyager: All you need to know about the RAF's fuel station in the sky

The Voyager is the RAF's only air-to-air (AAR) tanker and can also be used as strategic air support.

There are two versions currently in service – the Voyager KC.Mk 2, which has two underwing pods for refuelling fast jets, and the Voyager KC.Mk 3, which has an extra centreline hose for bigger aircraft.

The aircraft are based in RAF Brize Norton and is flown by 10 Squadron and 101 Squadron.

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Fuel offloaded during the AAR is siphoned off from the Voyager’s wing and fuselage tanks and the cabin holds 291 personnel. Amongst its abilities, the Voyager can 'towline', meaning it can circle around a set area awaiting 'receivers'.

It can also fly with several jets, refuelling them during long-distance journeys, while taking control of the formation and navigation.

Its other purpose is to be a passenger aircraft like a civilian airliner. However, it has a defensive aid suite, therefore, it can supply personnel to theatres around the world. The plane can take palletised or bulk freight in its lower fuselage hold.

Beyond personnel and freight, the Voyager is able to fly with a maximum of 40 stretchers and three critical care patients and it can be used by VIPs like the Prime Minister.

Its first voyage with 10 Squadron was in 2012 as a transport sortie leaving Brize Norton to get to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.

Following difficulties with some technical issues of the refuelling process, the Voyager started in its role as a fuel tanker in the skies in the summer of 2013. In the same year, 101 Squadron started getting into the air on the Voyage with 10 Squadron and AirTanker’s reservists.

Voyagers are based around the world in places like the Falkland Islands and at RAF Brize Norton.

Notable incidents

In 2021, the Voyager was used by the RAF as part of Operation Pitting  to transport Afghans following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. Elsewhere, in the fight against so-called ISIS, Voyager aided Typhoon FGR4s in operations such as Operation Shader. Operation Shader (OP Shader) was the codename for the UK's contribution to the US-led mission against so-called Islamic State (IS).

A Voyager was given a £900,000 makeover during Boris Johnson's time as Prime Minister, with a new paint job changing it from its normal grey colour to red, white, and blue Union Jack styling. 

In addition, the plane has been used to support Typhoons when they intercept Russian jets if they come close to UK airspace in incidents over the years.

RAF Voyager specifications:

• Powerplant: two 71,100lb st (316kN) Rolls-Royce Trent 772B turbofans
• Length: 192ft 11¾in (58.82m)
• Height: 57ft ½in (17.39m)
• Wingspan: 197ft 10in (60.30m)
• Wing area: 3,892.20sqft (361.60m2)
• Maximum speed: around Mach 0.86
• Typical mission range: capable of delivering around 132,000lb (60,000kg) of fuel during five hours on station at 500nm (930km) from base
• Range with maximum payload: 4,500nm (8,334km)
• Maximum range with maximum fuel: 8,000nm (14,816km)
• Maximum altitude: 41,000ft
• Maximum fuel load: 245,000lb (111,000kg)
• Maximum payload: around 99,000lb (45,000kg)
• Maximum passenger load: 291

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About Voyager

A cutting-edge technology provided by AirTanker, deployed by the RAF, to deliver a new strategic capability in support of UK Defence and global interests.

Voyager delivers

Voyager brings new operational flexibility to the RAF, picking-up roles previously performed by the legendary VC10 and TriStars. Providing increased reliability and range, it gives the RAF an enhanced capability in support of troop mobility, the movement of military assets, UK air defence and humanitarian operations.

This includes a state-of-the art air-to-air refuelling capability (AAR), supporting the movement of other air assets through AAR trail and towline operations.

With a payload of 43 tonnes of freight and 291 seat passenger capacity, plus an aeromedical evacuation capability, Voyager also delivers new flexibility in air mobility to the UK Armed forces in support of military or humanitarian operations.

The Voyager Fleet

The full fleet of 14 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft have all been delivered and Full Service Date was achieved on 30th September 2016.

The 14-strong fleet provided to the RAF consists of seven two-point and seven three-point capable tankers and all nine aircraft within the ‘core fleet’ are operating from Voyager’s Oxfordshire home-base at RAF Brize Norton. Capable of performing Air Transport, Aeromedical and Air-to-Air Refuelling roles simultaneously, the Voyager delivers a step change in capability to the UK Armed Forces. Click here for a breakdown of our capabilities.

The ‘Core’ fleet

The 'Core' fleet of 9 aircraft consists of 8 Voyager MRTT aircraft on the Military Aircraft Register (MAR) and one civilian A330 aircraft on the Civil Aircraft Register (CAR). Operated by AirTanker civilian pilots and cabin crew, this civilian A330 aircraft is exclusively available to the MOD and forms the basis of AirTanker’s ‘charter’ service in maintaining the South Atlantic Airbridge to the Falkland Islands.

The ‘Non-Core’ Fleet

When not required by the RAF, the ‘Non-Core’ fleet of 5 aircraft are available to AirTanker to utilise within the military and civil leasing markets. Three of these aircraft have been reconfigured to commercial use and are on the CAR, used within the Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance (ACMI) market. Now that the aircraft are coming into a busier maintenance schedule due to their age, to ensure that nine aircraft are always provided to the RAF, two aircraft from the ‘non-core’ fleet are kept in their military configuration and on the MAR, to continue smooth running operations.

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RAF Voyager tanker makes history with 100% SAF-powered flight

A UK Royal Air Force (RAF) tanker/transport has conducted a milestone flight performed using only sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), with the service and its industry partners claiming the achievement to be a world first.

One of the RAF’s AirTanker-supplied A330 Voyagers took off from its Brize Norton base in Oxfordshire on 16 November for the 90min, 100% SAF-enabled sortie. The activity also involved airframer Airbus Defence & Space, engine producer Rolls-Royce and fuel supplier Air bp.

Source: Crown Copyright

SAF-powered Voyager took off from RAF Brize Norton on 16 November

Conducted by a mixed crew of air force, Airbus and R-R flight-test personnel, the event also was “the first 100% SAF flight of any aircraft type carried out in UK airspace”, claim the partners, who describe the success as “paving the way for a range of possibilities for the future of flying military aircraft”.

“Climate change is a transnational challenge that threatens our resilience, our security and our collective prosperity. That is why I have set the RAF the ambitious challenge of becoming the world’s first net-zero air force by 2040,” says chief of the air staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston.

“The way we power our aircraft will be key to meeting that challenge, and the RAF is already thinking about how we will operate beyond fossil fuels,” Wigston says.

The Air bp-sourced fuel used during the flight test – which was intended to replicate an air-to-air refuelling mission – was produced from used cooking oil waste.

Air bp supplied cooking oil waste-derived fuel for the milestone sortie

“From the crew perspective, the SAF operation was ‘transparent’, meaning that no differences were observed operationally,” says Airbus experimental test pilot Jesus Ruiz, who captained the flight. “The test plan was exhaustive and robust and has allowed us to compare SAF with JET [A]1,” he adds.

“I commend our UK customer for this achievement, which helps pave the way for a sustainable reduction of carbon emissions of our military aircraft fleets,” says Airbus Defence & Space chief executive Michael Schoellhorn. He notes that preparations for the flight also involved the company’s engineers making a “significant contribution by providing on-the-ground expertise and securing the necessary MoD military flight permits”.

The RAF operates 10 Voyagers in the tanker and transport role, with the adapted A330-200s – which feature hose and drogue refuelling equipment – powered by R-R Trent 772B turbofans. The aircraft involved in the test flight (ZZ334), entered service in October 2011, according to Cirium fleets data.

Tanker/transport touched down after completing a 90min flight test

“Across Rolls-Royce we are committed to partnering with our customers to help them become more resilient to climate change,” says Alex Zino, the propulsion supplier’s executive vice-president business development and future programmes. “Ensuring our engines are compatible with sustainable aviation fuel is just one of the ways we are doing this,” he adds.

Meanwhile, Air bp senior vice-president Martin Thomsen notes: “Our ambition is to be the decarbonisation partner to the aviation industry, and we are working at pace with industry players to promote SAF availability, accessibility and affordability to support the aviation industry to meet its lower carbon goals.”

Airbus says the SAF trial resulted in no operational differences from using JET A1 fuel

The RAF’s highest-ranking officer has set the service a keen challenge to beat the UK government’s net-zero target by a full decade, with other current initiatives including studying a possible acquisition of an electric-powered type to support its ab initio and elementary flight training activities.

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AirTanker Voyager (A330 MRTT)

In-flight refueling tanker aircraft, united kingdom | 2012, "the royal air force expects to lease some fourteen french airbus a330 mrtt tankers under the voyager kc2 and kc3 designations.".

RAF’s VIP Voyager resumes tanker operations

The RAF’s recently unveiled, special schemed Voyager KC2 – which will represent the UK in a VIP transport role – returned to its primary role in providing air-to-air refuelling (AAR) operations on June 26.

Now known as “Vespina”, the aircraft – serial ZZ336 (c/n 1363) – took to the skies to provide AAR support to RAF-operated Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4s and Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning fighter aircraft during Exercise Crimson Ocean.

The operation took place the day after the Voyager arrived back at RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, wearing its new bespoke paint scheme. The livery, which cost £900,000 (US$1.1m), was applied at Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group’s (MADG’s) facility in Cambridgeshire.

Exercise Crimson Ocean – a joint effort between the RAF and Royal Navy – allows both services to train and hone routine fighter and helicopter operations from the HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08) – the Royal Navy’s new flagship aircraft carrier.

The F-35Bs that took part in the exercise belonged to No 617 Squadron ‘The Dambusters’, which were operating from the aircraft carrier. In total, four Lightning aircraft deployed to HMS Queen Elizabeth from RAF Marham, Norfolk, on June 10 – becoming the UK’s first operational F-35Bs to do so.

The exercise proved that the newly painted Voyager was still able to undertake its existing AAR and personnel transport role, unaffected by its new global VIP transport mission. “Vespina” departed RAF Brize Norton and spent most of the day airborne, providing refuelling support for the fighter aircraft involved.

In a press release, the RAF said: “So whilst for the time being, the VIP Voyager is back to its ‘day job’ [but] the aircraft will soon be fulfilling its important VIP role, displaying the Union Flag livery for the UK across the world when transporting ministerial, Royal and their delegations on trade, diplomatic and other missions.”

Wg Cdr Alistair Scott, officer commanding the RAF’s No 10 Squadron ‘Shiney Ten’, said: “The new livery looks superb but the reality is that flying this aircraft is no different to any of the other aircraft that make up the Voyager Force.

“It is capable of conducting the same essential defence tasks, not least of which is the [AAR] role that allows us to deploy our Typhoon and Lightning aircraft to every corner of the globe. Taking part in Exercise Crimson Ocean is a great opportunity to show what Voyager can do,” he added.

Plans for the refurbishment originated during the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) in 2015, which outlined plans to use a Voyager aircraft in this high-profile VIP transport role. However, until now the aircraft had been visually indistinguishable to other Voyager multi-role tanker/transport (MRTT) aircraft operated by the RAF.

After “Vespina” was unveiled, observers were quick to take to social media to point out that the Union Flag applied on the tail was backwards or upside down. This is a notable misinterpretation. When looking at the starboard side (right hand side) of the aircraft, the observer is looking at the reverse side of the flag. This method is applied on a number of RAF aircraft bearing the Union Flag and the convention is even followed on the US Air Force’s (USAF’s) VC-25A – Air Force One – aircraft.

The RAF’s Voyager aircraft can carry up to 111 tonnes (122 US tons) of fuel and is able to dispense a total of 110,231lb (50,000kg) of fuel to a number of aircraft. It can loiter for up to four hours at a range of over 1,151 miles (1,852km) from its departure point.

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UK RAF’s Voyager AAR tanker completes first refuel of F-35B

The UK Royal Air Force’s (RAF) Airbus A330 Voyager Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR) tanker has successfully refuelled the F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft for the first time.

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Carried out in the UK airspace over the North Sea at 19,000ft, the refuelling mission involved the use of the Voyager tanker based at RAF Brize Norton and the F-35B operated by No 617 Squadron based at RAF Marham, Norfolk.

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Royal air force.

The RAF’s tanker is the service’s main air-to-air refuelling aircraft, along with the Voyager KC Mk 2 and its two underwing pods for refuelling fast jets, as well as the Voyager KC Mk 3 with additional centreline hose for use by large aircraft.

No 101 Squadron Voyager captain said: “The Voyager aircraft offers a highly capable air-to-air refuelling capability, with which we provide regular support to many of the RAF’s fixed wing aircraft. Supporting the new F-35B, as it enters service, is a hugely important task for the Voyager force.

“Today’s sortie went extremely well and builds on the air-to-air refuelling deployment sorties flown from the US to the UK earlier this year.

“We look forward to enhancing our support for the F35B during this important period for the F-35B development programme.”

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The F-35B multi-role aircraft will be jointly operated by the UK RAF and the UK Royal Navy. It is capable of carrying out short take-offs and vertical landings.

The Lockheed Martin-built, fifth-generation aircraft can conduct missions such as air-to-surface, electronic warfare, intelligence gathering and air-to-air simultaneously.

The aircraft is scheduled to be deployed on the new Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales.

It is currently conducting flight trials from HMS Queen Elizabeth as part of an 11-week campaign involving more than 500 take-offs and landings.

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Watch: RAF Tanker Carrying 80 Tons of Fuel Has Tire Blow During Takeoff

The air-to-air refueler was participating in the ongoing 'red flag' combat training exercise at nellis air force base, nevada..

The RAF Voyager air-to-air refueler's tire blew out while participating in the ‘Red Flag’ exercise in support of British and U.S. fighter jets. [Courtesy: Royal Air Force]

The crew of a Royal Air Force (RAF) Voyager in the U.S. for a joint training exercise suffered a scare recently when one of the tires of the aerial tanker carrying 80 tons of fuel blew out during takeoff at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.

The aircraft and crew are in the U.S. participating in the large-scale  “Red Flag-Nellis 24-1” intensive fighter training underway in Nevada. The realistic combat training exercise has nearly 2,000 participants, about 100 aircraft, and personnel from 30 U.S. and allied units, including the RAF and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). 

The Voyager air-to-air refueler is participating in the Red Flag exercise to support British and U.S. fighter jets. 

• READ MORE: ‘Red Flag-Nellis’ Intensive Fighter Training Underway in Nevada

“[While] hurtling along the runway in Nevada with a takeoff speed of around 160 mph, the tire of the 204-ton jet, laden with 80 tons of fuel, failed,” RAF said in a statement Saturday.

The aircraft, which is capable of carrying nearly 300 passengers, also had a small number of British and allied passengers on board.

“The crew felt some minor vibrations early on, as per a routine takeoff, but were unaware of the seriousness of the incident and the take-off continued safely,” RAF said.

Video footage of the incident (posted below) shows the moment the tire failed.

Once airborne, the aircraft’s tire pressure sensors indicated there were faults with two tires, RAF said. The crew confirmed the damage using the Voyager’s external cameras and also contacted a U.S. Air Force F-16 in the exercise to conduct a visual inspection.

• READ MORE: Royal Air Force Tests Expeditionary Fueling System in Arctic Circle 

“This was my first flight in charge of the cabin with passengers onboard,” said RAF Corporal Jaz Lawton, cabin supervisor on the aircraft. “It was a shock to learn that the tire had burst, but my training kicked in, and I worked with the pilots and other crew to keep the passengers updated and reassure them.”

The crew then devised a plan for returning the aircraft to the ground.

“To minimize the risks of landing with damaged wheels, the crew extended their sortie to reduce the amount of fuel and, therefore, weight on board,” RAF said. “This also provided time for all the fighter jets to return to base before the Voyager, as it was possible that it might damage the runway when it landed.”

• READ MORE: Downed WWII Lancaster Bomber Raised from Sea Floor

Tanker pilots landed the aircraft safely and—after an inspection by U.S. Air Force firefighters— were able to slowly taxi to their parking space, where they replaced the wheel. The aircraft and crew rejoined the exercise the next day.

Red Flag 24-1 is set to conclude Friday.

RAF Voyager Tire Blows Out During Takeoff

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RAF Voyager laden with 80 tons of fuel suffers tire blowout takeoff scare: video  

The Royal Air Force (RAF) had released details about the dramatic moments one of its air-to-air refueling aircraft suffered a tire blowout during takeoff at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, United States (US). 

The 204-tonne jet, laden with 80 tons of fuel, was travelling at 160mph an hour when video footage captured the moment the tire burst.  

According to the RAF , the Voyager crew were unaware of what happened and proceeded to takeoff as normal.  

It was only when tire pressure sensors onboard the aircraft alerted the crew that they realized what had happened. 

External cameras attached to the outside of the Voyager were used to assess and determine the extent of the damage.  

The incident happened in the US where the Voyager is supporting British and US fighter jets with an aerial combat exercise called ‘Red Flag’. 

The Voyager flight crew were able to call upon the help of a US Air Force F-16 fighter jet to fly alongside the damaged plane and carry out a visual inspection.  

After assessing the damage and planning how the aircraft could be safely landed, the Voyager crew reduced the amount of fuel it was carrying.  

US Air Force firefighters at Nellis Air Force Base were alerted to cover all eventualities but the Voyager eventually landed safely back at the base and taxied back to its parking spot. 

“This was my first flight in charge of the cabin with passengers onboard. It was a shock to learn that the tire had burst, but my training kicked in and I worked with the pilots and other crew to keep the passengers updated and reassure them,” Corporal Jaz Lawton, Cabin Supervisor, said.  

Overnight RAF engineers worked to replace the tires and the Voyager was ready to continue work the very next day.  

“This has been an eventful day, but it is reassuring to be part of a wider team that operates so effectively under pressure,” the Voyager Captain said.  

Ukrainian Air Force claims to have shot down Russian Su-34 aircraft in Luhansk

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Aviation company supplying RAF targeted by protesters over Rwanda flights

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An aviation company that supplies air tankers to the RAF is being targeted by a charity over its potential role in flying illegal migrants to Rwanda .

Freedom from Torture is urging its members to “turn up the heat” on AirTanker over claims it could provide passenger jets to deport migrants to Rwanda.

AirTanker has a 27-year contract with the Ministry of Defence to deliver and support 14 multi-role air tanker planes which sustain the RAF’s Voyager aircraft, a variant of the Airbus A330-200.

Home Office documents seen by The Telegraph show that the threat from protesters and the lack of contractors are two of the key practical problems identified by officials in securing flights to Rwanda .

The move came as Rishi Sunak on Tuesday met Paul Kagame, the Rwandan president , where they agreed they were still “looking forward” to the first deportation flights taking off to the east African country in the spring.

Freedom from Torture said it was “turning up the heat” on AirTanker to persuade it not to participate in deportation flights to Rwanda after “reports” that it was in talks with the Government over the scheme.

The company ruled itself out of the first flights, scheduled in summer 2022 until they were grounded when a single judge from the European Court of Human Rights issued a rule 39 injunction blocking them.

Internal Home Office documents show that officials have identified “several critical risks” that could delay the first deportation flights.

One risk would be officials failing to locate and detain sufficient numbers of migrants – some of whom might abscond – combined with “significant attrition” through the legal process that could mean there were “few/none” migrants available for a flight to Rwanda.

The second risk was identified as the logistics of removing migrants from immigration removal centres to the airfield, through protests by asylum campaigners, very poor weather or commercial airlines or escort providers being unwilling to deliver their contracted services.

The third risk was Rwanda not being ready for arrivals including not having the out of country judicial review facilities for legal aid, leading to legal challenges that could see migrants having to be returned to the UK.

However, in a statement issued by Downing Street after Mr Sunak’s meeting with Mr Kagame , a spokesman said: “Both leaders looked forward to flights departing to Rwanda in the spring.”

The Home Office refused to confirm or deny whether it was in talks with AirTanker.

A Government spokesman said: “We have robust operational plans in place to get flights off the ground to Rwanda in the spring.”

AirTanker has been contacted for a comment.

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