Air Tanker bids for Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft
17 July 2001
AirTanker Limited today submits its innovative proposal for the MoD' s ground-breaking #12 billion PFI (Private Finance Initiative) project to replace the RAF' s ageing VC10 and TriStar air-to-air refuelling (AAR) aircraft.
The 'core' Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) air-to-air refuelling (AAR) and transport service, of around ten new Airbus A330-200 aircraft, is to be based at RAF Brize Norton and will be flown by RAF pilots and be supported and maintained by both RAF as well as civilian staff. The remaining aircraft, not required for immediate service, will be reconfigured for role as necessary and leased as surplus capacity, generating income for AirTanker through third party commercial passenger and cargo operations.
AirTanker, following an extensive evaluation of candidate aircraft, selected the A330-200 as it offers the best overall solution to meet the strategic AAR and air transport (AT) requirements. Its modern design facilitates development growth potential and counters long term obsolescence better than any of its competitors. It has a huge fuel off-load capability and is unequalled in towline performance. All fuel is carried internally and with no need for auxiliary tanks the aircraft is genuinely dual AAR and AT capable.
Richard Huckle, managing director of AirTanker, commented: "AirTanker possesses the necessary skills, services and products to deliver the full range of FSTA requirements, on time, to cost and with minimum risk. AirTanker will make a considerable long-term investment in the UK' s aerospace and electronics industrial base. The company, if successful, will create and sustain many jobs throughout the UK in the defence, aerospace, services and electronics sectors, during the 27 year programme lifetime."
AirTanker has been formed by a consortium of major aerospace and defence companies including Rolls-Royce, Cobham, Thales, Brown & Root and European Aeronautic, Defence and Space Company (EADS). Rolls-Royce' s latest Trent engines will power the aircraft and the company will be responsible for through-life engine support. Cobham will provide the flight refuelling operations and aircraft conversions. Thales is providing the Mission Avionics Sub System as well as mission planning, datalinks, communications, defensive aids and synthetic training systems. Brown & Root will provide the support services, drawing upon its extensive UK MoD support infrastructure. EADS will supply the platforms and integrate the aircraft systems to provide AirTanker with a fit for purpose tanker.
Thales is one of Europe' s largest professional electronics groups and a world leader in three areas: Aerospace, Defence, and Information Technology & Services. In 2000, Thales generated revenues of 8.6 billion euros, 74 per cent outside France. Following its acquisition of the Racal group, Thales now has close to 65,000 employees worldwide, including 14,000 in the UK.
Rolls-Royce plc is a global company providing power on land, sea and air. It has 55,000 aero engines in service in over 150 countries, and is also global leader in marine power systems. Its customer base includes more than 500 airlines, 2,400 corporate and utility operators, 160 armed forces, 2,000 marine operators and more than 30 navies. It is involved in many future programmes, including the engines for Eurofighter Typhoon and Joint Strike Fighter and the WR21 marine engine.
Brown & Root is a global provider of government project services. It employs 20,000 people in the Americas, UK, Europe, Africa and Asia-Pacific and offers programme management, engineering, operations, maintenance and logistics services for programmes anywhere in the world. Brown & Root is the majority shareholder in the company that owns Devonport Dockyard and in joint venture with Marshall Aerospace provides aircraft engineering, supply and support services at RAF Valley, North Wales. Brown & Root is a unit of Halliburton Company.
Cobham plc designs and manufactures equipment, specialised systems and components supplied primarily to the aerospace, defence, industrial and communications markets - and operates, maintains and modifies aircraft, particularly in relation to special mission flight operations.
EADS was formed on July 10, 2000 following the merger of Aerospatiale Matra of France, Daimler Chrysler Aerospace from Germany and Construcciones Aeronauticas from Spain. EADS is the third largest aerospace company in the world. It has approximately 87,000 employees.
Press contacts
Thales Nick West Tel: +44 (0) 1344 388065
Rolls-Royce Gary Atkins Tel: +44 (0) 1332 248389
EADS Eduardo Galicia Tel: +34 91-585 7114
Brown & Root Ken Beedle Tel: +44 (0) 1372 866622
Cobham Peter Crowle Tel: +44 (0)1202 409109
Photographs are available on request.
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