In July 2016, the AirTanker programme accomplished its 10,000th flight since the first Voyager took to the skies in April 2012 operating for the Royal Air Force.
AirTanker is a consortium made up of leading aerospace, defence
and facilities management specialists, Babcock, Cobham, Airbus
Group, Rolls-Royce and Thales offering unparalleled depth of
expertise in aerospace and defence, delivered to the 'front line'
in support of the RAF.
Director of Flight Operations, Iain Cullen, said:
"In just four years, the high number of flights completed
displays not only the level of requirement from the RAF for
Voyager, but its adaptable use to suit many roles along with its
reliability and efficiency. It's a great achievement and is proof
of the dedication and hard work of all involved who continue to
provide this fantastic capability."
AirTanker has delivered 14 Voyager aircraft, all of which are
equipped with Cobham Mission Systems 905E wing aerial refuelling
pods. Five of the 14 aircraft are three-point capable tankers which
also carry Mission Systems 805E fuselage refuelling units for
refuelling larger aircraft.
The 14 Voyager aircraft are available to the RAF over a 27 year
period. Nine of the tankers are in the RAF's 'core' line-up and the
other five are considered 'surge' aircraft, meaning that they're
available to the RAF when needed, but otherwise are at the disposal
of AirTanker for leasing to the civil market.
The Voyager aircraft in use by the RAF are providing invaluable
support to UK activities around the world - refuelling fighter jets
as well as large aircraft, transporting troops and providing
medical evacuation services and humanitarian assistance.
About Cobham Mission Systems
The most capable critical control solutions for extreme
environments.
As the world's leading supplier of critical control solutions,
we help our customers to increase the safety and mission
capabilities of their personnel and equipment in extreme
environments.
Our proven and trusted solutions in air-to-air refuelling, life
support, weapons carriage and unmanned systems, deliver assured
performance and class-leading through-life costs that enable our
customers to bring complex projects to market quickly, and with
minimal risk.
About Cobham
The most important thing we build is trust.
Cobham is a leading global technology and services innovator,
respected for providing solutions to the most challenging problems,
from deep space to the depths of the ocean.
We employ around 11,000 people on five continents, and have
customers and partners in over 100 countries, with market leading
positions in: wireless, audio, video and data communications,
including satellite communications; defence electronics; air-to-air
refuelling; aviation services; life support and mission
equipment.
Enquiries
Cobham plc
Greg Caires
Vice President, Corporate Communication - North America
M: +1 703 663 0274
greg.caires@cobham.com