澳大利亚新南威尔士
Photo by Australian Air Force/FLTLT Drew Abbott | 2015-06-10 14:08:36 | A39-005 (cn 1183);A30-001 (cn 33474/1245)
澳大利亚空军 E-7A“楔尾”预警机和 KC-30A 加油机在两者间首次空中加油实验中对接飞行。KC-30A 采用17米长的硬杆伸缩加油套管系统,每分钟输出4500升燃油。本轮实验中共出动7架次,进行了118次干式对接,6次空中加油,输送20吨燃料。(KC-30A MRTT and E-7A Wedgetail conduct Air to Air refuelling testing in the airspace near RAAF Williamtown. Air-to-air refuelling trials between KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport and E-7A Wedgetail From 1-13 June 2015, air-to-air refuelling (AAR) trials were conducted between a RAAF KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) and an E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft for the first time. The KC-30A utilised its 17-metre-long Aerial Refuelling Boom System, which is capable of offloading fuel at up to 4500 litres per minute. During the trials, a total of seven sorties were flown by each aircraft, during which they conducted 118 'dry' contacts with the KC-30A's refuelling boom, and six 'wet' contacts, with a 20 tonnes of fuel being transferred. The trials were conducted under the direction of the Aircraft Research and Development Unit (ARDU), and will allow a significant increase in mission range and endurance for the Wedgetail.)