World First for In-Service Military Transport Platform
An Airbus A330MRTT [Multi-role Tanker/Transport], serving in the Royal Air Force as the Voyager, has become the world’s first military transport aircraft to fly powered by sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in all engines.
The first 100% SAF flight for any aircraft in UK airspace, the mission was flown on 16 November from RAF Brize Norton as a joint endeavour between the RAF, the MoD, aircraft manufacturer Airbus, AirTanker, Rolls-Royce and Air bp, who supplied the fuel. The 90-minute flight replicated an air-to-air refuelling sortie and was witnessed by senior RAF and industry representatives.
SAF is made from waste-based sustainable feedstocks – in this case used cooking oil – and reduces lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to the conventional fuel it replaces, decreasing the RAF’s reliance on global supply chains and improving operational resilience by reducing the necessity for fuel resupply. As different approaches will suit different platforms and environments, a range of alternative fuel options are being looked at to ensure the UK is at the forefront of this developing technology.
“True to our purpose of ‘pioneering aerospace’, we have gladly supported the Royal Air Force on this landmark sustainable-fuel test flight. I commend our UK customer for this achievement, which helps pave the way for a sustainable reduction of carbon emissions of our military aircraft fleets. Airbus engineers have made a significant contribution to this RAF mission by providing on-the-ground expertise in recent weeks and securing the necessary MoD military flight permits,” stated Airbus Defence and Space CEO, Michael Schoellhorn.
