The Voyager tanker fleet reached the milestone with the achievement of ‘Full Service Date’ on time and on budget.
The final aircraft arrived at RAF Brize Norton in July, completing the aircraft delivery requirements of the contract. The fleet of nine core and five surge aircraft, operate in both the military and civil leasing sectors.
Phill Blundell, CEO AirTanker Ltd, said:
“Today is a landmark date for everyone involved in the Voyager programme. Following the contract award to AirTanker by the Ministry of Defence in 2008, the whole AirTanker team has worked tirelessly together with our industry partners and RAF colleagues to deliver this vital capability.
The fact that we have done so on time and on budget is testament to that teamwork and commitment.”
Keith Filbey, Managing Director, AirTanker Services, said:
“There is a great sense of pride within the workforce that we have achieved this important contractual milestone and that Voyager continues to deliver exceptionally well, whether in support of global operations or defending UK skies.
The first aircraft completed its maiden flight in April 2012 operating for the RAF and since then Voyager has proven its worth time and again. In July this year, the programme reached the milestone of the 10,000th flight across the Voyager Force and our leasing community. We look forward to continuing our support for this vital defence asset.”
Apparently they now want to give them boom refuelling arms. Maybe they should have thought of this before.