Australia has a KC-30 operating in the Middle East under Operation Okra, its military intervention against ISIL, but the tanker is unable to refuel U.S. Air Force fighters and bombers such as the F-15, F-16, A-10 and B-1B. The U.S. military is now working with Airbus to get emergency aerial refueling clearances.
Photo: USAF
Jane’s said the U.S. Navy also has a need to clear its AV-8B, F/A-18C/D/E/F, EA-18G and EA-6B to refuel from the KC-30. The trials will take place at NAS Patuxent River. Of note, a USMC F/A-18C did receive fuel from a KC-30 last month during an inflight emergency over northern Iraq.
The sailing branch also intends to clear the F-35B to refuel from the RAF A330 Voyager.