Comment by lm28469
11 hours ago
> In joint NATO missions, the F-35 can just be fueled by tankers operated by US tankers.
I don't think we're in a timeline in which NATO's stability should be counted on for such critical things like refuelling your own planes...
The UK is no stranger to engineering, it's not like it would take them years to build or modify a tanker on their own.
Airbus makes the stupid tankers for the US: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airbus_A330_MRTT it's not a problem.
Edit: the US cancelled the Airbus program, but they still can make the boom operated tankers.
It's actually quite hard to build a boom tanker; Boeing's most recently one has been a disaster for the company. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_KC-46_Pegasus#Flight_te...
"If Boeing can't do it, it must be hard", is that what you're saying? Are you implying that Boeing is better at building aircraft than Airbus (or really anyone else)?
1 reply →
> I don't think we're in a timeline in which NATO's stability should be counted on for such critical things like refuelling your own planes...
This is the entire point of NATO, complete interoperability between forces. To work as one cohesive force.
We're still stable, if we're not then it's already over.
> This is the entire point of NATO, complete interoperability between forces.
How is it interoperable if you cannot refuel your own planes ? Sounds like the opposite of interoperability to me
This is a problem of RAF, they're at fault for not getting their hardware in order, everyone else can do it fine.
> Since the RAF's Voyager fleet lacks the boom-type system required by the F-35A
Because 1 component is incompetent doesn't change the point of NATO integration.
This came up with Isreali Jets too, the RAF have known about this but seem to be doing nothing.
> https://afwerxchallenge.com/media/download/303d097876348381d...
> https://www.difesa.it/assets/allegati/58377/allegato1annesso...
Section : 3.4.5. Fuel delivery methods
These standards are implemented elsewhere in NATO. Infact the RAF might be the ONLY ones not capable.
Edit for clarity on missing boom fuel syste,.
next question: should it be counted on for such things as "being able to service and operate our planes"