RAF Flies Tanker On SAF

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Key Takeaways:

  • The RAF successfully flew a Voyager tanker on 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), marking the UK's first 100% SAF flight and the first military flight of an aircraft of that size entirely on SAF.
  • This significant flight underscores the RAF's serious commitment to becoming the world's first net-zero Air Force, aiming to improve operational resilience and develop future capabilities.
  • The 90-minute flight, which included a simulated air-to-air refueling, demonstrated the potential for the RAF's future operational capabilities.
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The RAF flew one of its Voyager tankers on 100 percent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and said it wasn’t just a publicity stunt. In a news release, the RAF said it’s serious about becoming the world’s first net-zero Air Force and “leading the way in improving operational resilience and developing future operating capability in a climate-changed world.” The Voyager is the tanker conversion of an A330 and the RAF said it was the first military flight on all SAF of an aircraft that big and the first 100 percent SAF flight in the U.K. They made good use of the fuel.

The big twin jet took off from RAF Brize Norton for a 90-minute flight that included a simulated air-to-air refueling. It was flown by a combined RAF, Rolls-Royce and Airbus flight test crew. “It demonstrated the RAF’s potential for its future operational capability, ensuring the ability to contribute to UK defence wherever and whenever required.”

Russ Niles

Russ Niles is Editor-in-Chief of AVweb. He has been a pilot for 30 years and joined AVweb 22 years ago. He and his wife Marni live in southern British Columbia where they also operate a small winery.
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