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A Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) KC-30A flew with sustainable aviation fuel for a special VIP mission.
The “drop-in” fuel used on the Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft came ahead of its use on a mission for Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025.
Sustainable aviation fuels, or SAFs, are made from a variety of renewable feedstocks, including vegetable oils, animal fats and waste materials. They can currently be blended with traditional fuels to lower carbon emissions.
It comes after Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy announced last October that Australia’s military would target achieving net zero emissions by 2050 by transitioning to alternative fuel sources and introducing renewable electricity.
Director General Fuel Capability, Brigadier Mark Baldock, said Talisman Sabre provides a valuable opportunity to trial new fuel technologies in a realistic operational setting.
“This is about improving energy security. Proving the viability of alternate fuels enhances fuel resilience by diversifying our supply chains. There is also the important benefit of reducing emissions,” BRIG Baldock said
“Exercises like Talisman Sabre give us a perfect opportunity to work with industry and international partners to trial next-generational fuels in ways that support capability and climate resilience.
“We are building upon our current fuel system to ensure that it is fit for the future. We are doing it in lockstep with our industry partners, our international allies, and our own people on the ground and in the air.”
The KC-30A is based on a heavily modified Airbus A330 airliner and undertakes air-to-air refuelling and strategic airlift duties. Australia has seven, which are operated by No. 33 Squadron and based at RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland.
The KC-30A MRTT is fitted with two forms of air-to-air refuelling systems: an advanced refuelling boom system mounted on the tail of the aircraft and a pair of all-electric refuelling pods under each wing.
These systems are controlled by an air refuelling operator in the cockpit, who can view refuelling on 2D and 3D screens.
More than 100 tonnes of fuel can be transferred by the aircraft to F/A-18A/B Hornets, F/A-18F Super Hornets, E/A-18G Growlers, E-7A Wedgetails, C-17A Globemaster III, P-8A and other KC-30As.
Flight Lieutenant Michael Que Hee, a pilot at No. 33 Squadron flying the mission, said that from a user perspective, the switch to SAF was seamless.
“From the cockpit, there’s no difference; the aircraft flies exactly the same,” FLTLT Que Hee said.
“Knowing we are helping to enhance the fuel supply chain and reducing emissions just by doing our job makes it even more rewarding.”
In April, it was reported that an Australian Army CH-47F Chinook was also refuelled with sustainable aviation fuel.
Certified for Defence use in 2023, the Air Force demonstrated the use of SAF, with the RAAF Roulettes conducting a flying display fuelled by a SAF blend at the 2023 Newcastle-Williamtown Airshow.
