The main focus of the discussion on FSTA was that the cost per aircraft to the MOD was £152m, whereas a standard A330 could be acquired for as little as “£40m – £50m”.  They asserted through the use of “industry experts” that converting the aircraft to tankers would cost an additional £10m.  The question to the Secretary of State for Defence was then essentially “how could MOD sign a contract where they paid 3 times the going rate?” 

Much of the information used by the programme was inappropriate.  Prior to the programme AirTanker provided relevant data to the Newsnight team to ensure they had the correct information to prevent them misinforming viewers, but unfortunately they chose not to use it.  Newsnight speculated on achieving a very low price for procuring a standard A330, rather than properly researching and constructing a valid comparator for a modified, flight tested and certified tanker which is fit for MoD use. Publically available information clearly demonstrates that the price paid by the MOD (although they are not paying for the aircraft directly, rather they are paying for the service) is broadly equivalent to that paid by many other military customers for similar platforms.

The Voyager aircraft was delivered by Airbus Military to AirTanker at the end of last year and demonstrates a development in technology which will provide the RAF with an advanced air-to-air refuelling, passenger transport and aero medical capability.  As a modern and efficient airframe, Voyager is quieter and more fuel efficient than any other aircraft currently based at RAF Brize Norton.

AirTanker Services (ATrS), the service delivery company, is ready to support and operate the Voyager aircraft to Civil Aviation Authority standards.  Based at RAF Brize Norton, ATrS has built a strong team including both civilian and military expertise. 

AirTanker plans to deliver the full capability of 14 aircraft by 2016.  The nine aircraft that form the RAF core fleet will be delivered by May 2014.  The service will operate aircraft on both the military and civilian registers. 

Phill Blundell, Chief Executive of AirTanker, said: “The aircraft is a magnificent airframe which combines efficiency, effective tasking capability and reliability.  The programme brings together the best of the civilian aviation industry with military operational expertise and will offer an innovative and multi-functional capability to meet the demands of the 21st Century.”

Dave Mitchard, Managing Director of AirTanker Services, said: “We have all been looking forward to introducing Voyager into service as a valuable asset for the MOD.  I am proud of the team’s achievements in reaching operational service and the hard work will now continue to ensure we offer the best possible service for the RAF.”

The next 12 months will see the Voyager team conduct planned procedural activities ensuring the aircraft continues through its intensive programme to be ready for future operational environments.  During this time, the aircraft will be based at RAF Brize Norton to allow air and ground crews to complete Air Transport and Air to Air Refuelling familiarisation training and development on the aircraft type.

AirTanker was pleased to provide the venue for the first visit of Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal since her appointment as the new Honorary Air Commodore to RAF Brize Norton today, 17 February 2012.

The AirTanker Hub; a purpose built facility including a two bay hangar, four story office accommodation and flight operations centre, provided an ideal location for the parade of the Standards of the eight resident Squadrons.  The parade was witnessed by representatives from the Station, the wider RAF, the local community and Industry. 

Dave Mitchard, Managing Director of AirTanker Services said “I was delighted to have been able to offer our facility to host part of the Royal visit to RAF Brize Norton.  AirTanker already has very close working relationships with the Station and we were delighted that we were able to help out with this important and historic occasion for RAF Brize Norton.”

At the beginning of December, AirTanker launched a Christmas Card Competition which was open to the primary schools in Carterton.  The students at each school were offered free rein to design and make a Christmas Card.   AirTanker received a shortlist of 10 from each school and picked the winners.

The winner, Keeley from the Gateway School (far left in the picture above), won an AirTanker goody bag along with £250 for her school.   The Gateway, Carterton and St Joseph’s primaries all had students who where awarded runner up prizes. 

The design will be used as part of the Company’s 2011 festive ‘egreeting’.

The opportunity to be one of the chosen 90 businesses in Oxfordshire to show their support for the Royal British Legions Poppy Appeal was one that AirTanker did not want to miss. As a business with very close links to the Military we are a keen supporter of charities connected with helping all generations of the Armed Forces and their families.

Based at RAF Brize Norton, AirTanker will provide the RAF with a reliable, safe and efficient air transport and air to air refuelling service for the next 24 years. In addition to its air to air refuelling role, the aircraft will be capable of carrying passengers and freight. It will also have an aeromedical evacuation capability.

AirTanker proudly displays its poppy as part of the Jack FM and Glide FM campaign to 'Put on a Giant Poppy'

Dave Mitchard, Managing Director of AirTanker Services said: ‘Our Armed Forces give so much and the Poppy Appeal gives us the chance to honour the memory of those that are sadly no longer with us. The Royal British Legion continues to provide support to our serving Military colleagues and their families during difficult times and it is a fitting tribute to be able to display the poppy on our building.’

AirTanker welcomes the Voyager aircraft to RAF Brize Norton picture courtesy of RAF Brize Norton

An AirTanker Voyager aircraft landed at RAF Brize Norton yesterday afternoon, Monday 8 August; the first time the aircraft had visited the Station. The aircraft is currently involved in a flight testing programme to clear the RAF Tornado aircraft to receive fuel from it. The Voyager, a converted Airbus A330-200, flew from Airbus Military’s home in Getafe, near Madrid, to RAF Brize Norton before departing for MOD Boscombe Down the next day.

The AirTanker Contract will provide the RAF with a reliable, safe and efficient Air Transport, Air-to-Air refuelling and Aero Medical evacuation capability for the duration of the 24 year contract. In its Air to Air Refuelling role, Voyager can carry 111 tonnes of fuel, while in its Air Transport role, it is capable of carrying passengers (up to 291) or freight (up to 43 tonnes), or a combination of the two. It can also be configured to carry up to 40 stretchers or critical care patients as required.

AirTanker was delighted to provide the RAF Brize Norton community with a chance to see the aircraft in what will become its eventual home later this year.

Voyager on arrival at RAF Brize Norton

The contract provides the Royal Air Force (RAF) with exclusive use of one bay of the AirTanker Hub as a temporary line maintenance facility for up to two C130 aircraft over a 16 month period.  The scope includes all storage, heating, overhead lighting, power, cleaning and air services.  Amenities for up to 25 maintenance personnel are also provided on site by AirTanker within the new facilities at RAF Brize Norton.

AirTanker is a long term service provider to the RAF and this particular contract demonstrates how we are able to respond flexibly to the needs of our RAF customer.

The AirTanker Hub is more than just a hangar.  It is a maintenance facility, flight operations centre and also provides office accommodation for all those Military and Civilian personnel involved in the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) programme.  In addition, AirTanker has developed a purpose built, state of the art training facility which houses a full flight simulator and part task trainers as well as several well equipped training classrooms.  AirTanker personnel moved into their facility at RAF Brize Norton, as planned, in May 2011 and the first FSTA aircraft is due to arrive towards the end of this year.

Dave Mitchard, Managing Director of AirTanker Services Ltd said:

‘We welcome this early involvement with the RAF, which demonstrates the flexibility of our contract with our customer and look forward to the C130 crews joining us in our hangar from August.  Naturally, our priority is to make sure that the FSTA programme remains on schedule and that we are ready for the arrival of the first aircraft towards the end of this year’.