French DGA Conducts Helicopter Refueling by A400M Aircraft

An Airbus A400M tanker plane successfully refueled two French Eurocopter EC725 Caracal (Airbus H225M) helicopters mid-air.

France is the only European country to undertake C130J-Caracal refuelling. The Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) conducted the EC725-A400M refueling in the southwest of France from March 22 to April 2, 2021.

The objective of this campaign was to certify the A400M's ability to refuel helicopters, day and night. Eight flights took place, one with two helicopters in simultaneous refueling as well as two night flights. Totally, 25 hours of test flights were conducted with nearly 80 contacts taking place between the two aircraft. Several tons of fuel were transferred, French defense ministry said on April 19.

The ministry added that the tests demonstrated A400M’s “ability to refuel helicopters throughout the planned flight envelope (speed, altitude, mass), to refuel two helicopters simultaneously and to refuel at night under night vision binoculars."

Airbus aims to achieve full helicopter air-to-air refuelling certification later this year with the conclusion of all mandatory night operation trials.