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RAF largest ever dual purpose aircraft, Voyager can carry 300 troops or 100.000 litres of fuel

Voyager has a colossal 60 metre wingspan and is nearly 60 metres long (Photo MoD)

The RAF’s largest ever aircraft, Voyager, has been flown by an RAF pilot at the Royal International Air Tattoo, Fairford for its first public appearance. Fourteen Voyager aircraft and a complete support package are being provided to the RAF under a 27 year £10.5bn Private Finance Initiative contract signed with the AirTanker consortium.

In addition to the aircraft, the service will provide training and maintenance, and brand new purpose-built buildings at RAF Brize Norton, the RAF’s air transport hub.

Defence Secretary, Dr Liam Fox, who attended today’s naming ceremony of the new strategic tanker aircraft said: “I am delighted to see the new Royal Air Force Voyager aircraft formally presented to the public. This magnificent aircraft is the future for the RAF’s air to air refuelling and passenger transport capability for the coming decades”.

He added that the “Voyager, together with the C-17, C-130J and the A400M transport aircraft will provide the RAF with a truly world class fleet of aircraft, underpinning the global reach that is vital to our operations.”

Voyager has a colossal 60 metre wingspan and is nearly 60 metres long. It is a dual role air to air tanker and transport aircraft and will replace the long serving VC-10 and Tristar. It is a considerable capability boost, able to carry almost 300 troops over 6,000 miles and to air to air refuel other aircraft with 100,000 litres of fuel - greater than two large petrol tankers. Voyager can refuel aircraft at a rate of 5,000 litres per minute - a garage forecourt petrol pump delivers fuel at 40 litres per minute.

“As we have seen in Afghanistan and Libya, an effective air to air refuelling and transport fleet is an essential force multiplier in this era of expeditionary warfare. Voyager, when it enters service later this year, will excel in these roles by not only increasing our air-to-air refuelling capability but also by substantially improving our strategic airlift capacity” said Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton also present at the ceremony.

The RAF Chief of Air Staff underlined that the Voyager is the airborne part of a flexible and cost effective whole-service contract which will enable the rapid movement of personnel around the world and provide unprecedented global reach to our combat aircraft.

“We can be justifiably proud of this magnificent addition to the RAF’s fleet, it will serve our Armed Forces well for many years to come.”

Held every year, the Royal International Air Tattoo keeps the capabilities and importance of Air Power in the minds of the nation and brings the Air Forces of many nations together to foster the spirit of co-operation and understanding that is so vital in this medium of military power.

The Voyager based on the Airbus A330-200 airliner, will be flown by RAF pilots and RAF engineers will be involved in maintenance alongside civilian colleagues. Some contractor staff will be Sponsored Reservists.