U.S. Navy F/A-18E & Italian Air Force KC-767A test aerial refueling capability

: Posted On Thursday, 15 September 2016 16:04

Naval Forces News - USA

U.S. Navy F/A-18E & Italian Air Force KC-767A test aerial refueling capability

Testing for the U.S. Navy’s fighter aircraft to receive fuel from the Italian Air Force’s KC-767A aircraft is currently underway at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland. This six week test period is designed to meet the U.S. Central Command’s operational requirement for joint interoperability and increased air refueling capacity within that area of responsibility.

The Italian Air Force's KC-767A refuels a U.S. Navy F/A-18 E/F during a test in early September at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. This was one of several tests planned to authorize KC-767A refueling of U.S. Navy fighter aircraft in an operational environment. (U.S. Navy photo)

“It has been great to work with our Italian Air Force partners to strengthen our joint warfighting capability,” said Capt. Jaime Engdahl, U.S. Navy’s Precision Strike Weapons program manager, who oversees the Navy’s aerial refueling efforts. “With the team’s continuing good work we will be able to clear all of our operational strike aircraft for coalition aerial refueling and extend our combat strike range capability.”

Under Engdahl’s direction, the aerial refueling team developed a plan to support Italian tanker testing. The team coordinated with its Italian counterparts, Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23, (VX) 31, and Marine Aircraft Group 14 to coordinate flights at Patuxent River using the F/A-18, AV-8B and EA-6B.

During each flight, the aircraft completes a pre-requisite wake survey before doing initial contacts at a given altitude / airspeed condition. The aircraft maneuvers to various positions behind and abeam the tanker that correspond to where it would be if actually taking fuel. At each position, the pilot evaluates the relative difficulty of capturing and maintaining the desired position.

Following a successful wake survey, the KC-767A’s hose/drogue is extended and initial contacts with the basket are completed at various altitudes and airspeeds. Hose reel system response is tested with slow and fast closure-rate engagements to ensure the system will operate at all conditions for operational pilots.

“Testing is going very well and we are encouraged by the results we have seen so far with the F/A-18,” said Erin Kennedy, PMA-201 aerial refueling class desk engineer. “In the weeks ahead, we will conduct additional flying quality evaluations with the AV-8B and EA-6B.”

The goal of the certification testing is to authorize KC-767A refueling of these three aircraft in an operational environment. Testing is scheduled to be complete in early October.