Australia’s KC-30A Refuels USN P-8A Poseidon MPA for the First Time

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft for the first time refueled the U.S. Navy’s P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) recently.

Australian defense ministry said a series of air-to-air refueling missions were flown between the KC-30A and the visiting USN P-8A over western New South Wales and Victoria in March. “Connected in close formation at more than 800 kmph, the refueling was the first time an operational P-8A squadron from the USN has refueled from a KC-30A,” the ministry said in a statement today.

Throughout refueling, crews on both aircraft must use precise movements with their controls to ensure the KC-30A’s 17-metre (55-foot) refueling boom remains plugged into a receptacle above the P-8A’s cockpit.

The visiting USN crews from Patrol Squadron 47 are in Australia in support of the Royal Australian Navy’s Fleet Certification Period training on Bass Strait. Known as the ‘Golden Swordsmen’, Patrol Squadron 47 is currently deployed to Misawa Air Base in Aomori, Japan, conducting maritime patrol and reconnaissance and theatre outreach operations under Commander Task Force 72.

Commodore of Commander Task Force 72, Captain Clifford Toraason, said USN P-8A refueling operations with the RAAF KC-30A was an important milestone. “Every chance to continue to improve our interoperability with such a close and valued ally as Australia is a valuable opportunity,” he said.

In the past, RAAF KC-30As have refueled with a USN P-8A during a test flight program in the U.S. as well as with the RAAF’s own P-8As flown by No. 11 Squadron.

Officer Commanding of RAAF No. 86 Wing, Group Captain Brent Taylor, said air-to-air refueling was essential to operations in the Indo-Pacific. “The KC-30A carries over 100 tons – or 220,000 pounds – of fuel, and can offload that to another aircraft at a considerable distance from its home base,” Group Captain Taylor said.

The P-8A in contrast has a fuel capacity of 34 tons, or 75,000 pounds.

“Air-to-air refueling provides a means of overcoming challenges to joint forces operating in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly by allowing aircraft to operate at much longer ranges,” Group Captain Taylor said.

Introduced to RAAF service in 2012, the KC-30A is a converted Airbus A330-200 airliner, carrying a range of airborne refueling systems and other modifications for its role.

The RAAF operates a fleet of seven KC-30As from RAAF Base Amberley, near Brisbane.