Years

Flight Lieutenant Dunn who was part of Exercise Cope North 21 says “The KC-30A is usually one of the first jets to enter the airspace and one of the last to leave,”.

“Fully integrated in the planning process, the tanker planner helps shape the mission profile by working out fuel requirements, tanker availability and any limitations, and then comes up with the airborne refuelling plan," FLTLT Dunn said.

“All of our co-pilots cycled through the position – it was a big learning curve for them and a great opportunity for their professional development.

“They’ve begun to understand how we integrate with partner forces, how a typical planning cycle works for a large force employment mission, and what great capabilities the KC-30A brings to the table.”

“We also had two junior air refuelling operators who achieved their day fighter boom qualification and one aircrew member who achieved his B Category KC-30A captain categorisation.”

“We'd expect to be airborne for approximately four hours, refuel a combination of US F-35A Lightning IIs, F/A-18 Hornets, F-16 Fighting Falcons and EA-18G Growlers, and offload around 45,000 litres of fuel.

“We’d also expect to hold contingency fuel for any issues that the fighters may have during the sortie or on recovery to Andersen Air Force Base.

“Once all fighters and other air assets are safely on their way home, we’ll recover as well, and when we’re back on the ground, our maintainers refuel the aircraft, conduct any maintenance required and have the tanker ready to launch for the next wave.”

By the end of the exercise, callsign ‘Willowbank’ had flown a total of 17 missions and offloaded 318,000 litres of fuel to US fighter aircraft.

Although pilots and boom operators undergo rigorous refuelling training, it nevertheless remains stressful. To that end, both Airbus and Boeing have worked on automatising the boom operation. Peter Thomas, senior lecturer in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Hertfordshire in England, and a specialist on air-to-air refuelling of unmanned aerial vehicles, says that “if you want to automate the system you must outperform what a human can do, which is using his eyes to gage where the boom must go and couple up with the receiver.”

In April 2020 Airbus successfully completed the world’s first fully automatic air-to-air refuelling operation with 120 dry fuelling contacts with a Portuguese Air Force F-16 fighter jet which needed no modifications at all to use the system. (A dry contact means they don’t actually transfer fuel.)

The tech allows the boom operator to simply activate the system and then supervise while the computer takes control of the boom, maintaining the right angle and distance to fly it to within centimetres of the receiver aircraft. The boom’s telescope is then extended into the receiver, the fuel transferred, then automatically disconnected and the boom brought away.

More recently history was made when the U.S. Navy conducted its first ever air to air refuel between a manned aircraft and an unmanned tanker on June 4 2021, with a Boeing-owned MQ-25 Stingray test vehicle performing its first mid-air tanking mission with a Navy F/A-18E-F Super Hornet.

The test mission out of MidAmerica Airport in Mascoutah, Illinois, proved the unmanned tanker could successfully use the Navy’s standard probe-anddrogue aerial refuelling method.

During the initial part of the flight, the F/A-18 test pilot flew in close formation behind MQ-25 to ensure performance and stability prior to refuelling. The manoeuvre required as little as 20 feet of separation between the two aircraft, both flying at operationally relevant speeds and altitudes. When the MQ-25 drogue was extended, the F/A-18 pilot moved in to “plug” with the unmanned aircraft and receive the scheduled fuel offload.

Future of AAR Future of AAR

From remote vision systems to drones, aerial refuelling technology has made leaps in recent years. If perfected, it could have a lasting impact on the future of military aviation.

From Vietnam through to the Falklands and Iraq, aerial refuelling has been used by air forces in conflict for well over half a century.

Tankers continue to play an important role in serving bombers, fighter jets and, more recently, drones. According to market intelligence firm Stratview Research, the global aerial refuelling systems market could reach a value of $671.9m by 2024, owing to increasing demand and more funds being allocated to their development.

Recent developments around the world suggest that going unmanned is a primary goal for new refuelling technology. Flying tankers in perfect sync with a receptacle aircraft at hundreds of miles of an hour – not to mention hooking up pipelines with highly combustible fuels – requires vast reserves of precision and patience.

If perfected, unmanned or autonomous refuelling solutions could help take the pressure off pilots and human boom operators, as well as reducing risk to personnel involved.

INSIDE THE KC-30A

The KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) serves as an airto-air refuelling aircraft that also provides the RAAF with strategic airlift capabilities. It was first flown by the RAAF in September 2011.

The RAAF currently has six KC-30A aircraft operated by No 33 Squadron, based at Amberley. Since 2014, one additional KC-30A was deployed in the Middle East under Operation Okra.

The KC-30A was selected in April 2004 to fulfil Project AIR 5402 for five aircraft equipped with wing-mounted pods for hose and drogue refuelling and a fuselage centreline refuelling boom. The acquisition contract for the aircraft was signed with then aircraft manufacturer EADS CASA in December 2004.

The MRTT is a substantially modified military derivative of the Airbus A330-200 airliner, which can carry a fuel load of more than 100 tonnes, and transfer part of that load to compatible aircraft.

The KC-30A MRTT can remain 1,800 km from its home base, with 50 tonnes of fuel available to offload for up to four hours. In its transport role, the aircraft is capable of carrying 270 passengers and can accommodate 34,000 kilograms of military and civilian cargo pallets and containers.

In 2018, Air Force then Chief of Joint Operations, Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld said the reliability and large air-to-air refuelling capability of the KC-30A has added tangible value to the Australian and coalition forces, with their large demand for aerial refuelling. "The KC-30A has been a significant force multiplier for the Air Force and has proven itself over Iraq as part of Operation Okra," AIRMSHL Hupfeld said.

The KC-30A is equipped with two

forms of air-to-air refuelling systems, including an advanced refuelling boom system mounted under the fuselage of the aircraft and a hose and drogue refuelling pod underneath each wing. These systems are controlled by an air refuelling operator on the flight deck, who can view refuelling on 2D and 3D screens.

Advanced mission systems are also fitted to the aircraft. They include the Link 16 real-time data-link, military communications and navigation suites, and an electronic warfare self-protection system for protection against surface-to-air missiles.

AIRMSHL Hupfeld said, "Just one KC-30A can support the deployment of four fighter aircraft over 5,000 kilometres and has the versatility to refuel a range of different aircraft types. From Australian C-17A Globemaster IIIs to US Marine Corps AV-8B Harriers, British Eurofighters and French Dassault Rafales, the KC-30A can keep these planes in the air efficiently and effectively."

During Exercise Arnhem Thunder in July 2021, less than an hour into a daytime mission, Air Force pilots Flight Lieutenant Kristen Crick and Flying Officer Danny Kitcher refuelled four F/A-18F Super Hornets and two EA18G Growlers.

Whether it’s dragging fighters through the airspace or anticipating where they might need us for a top-off, we remain flexible and work together so they can meet their mission objectives.”

For the two pilots, the best things about flying the KC-30A were the variety and the people.

“We’re able to do passenger and cargo moves, hose-and-drogue and boom refuelling, and formation flying,” FLGOFF Kitcher said.

FLTLT Crick said: “Flying the KC30A means you’re always working with a crew and 33SQN is full of good characters”.

“While the KC-30A is first and foremost an air-to-air refuelling system, given our multi-role, we’re not only working with receiver pilots for air-toair refuelling, but also looking after passengers, and making sure we provide a comfortable service to get them to their next domestic or international destination,” FLTLT Crick said.

Left: KC-30A MRTT pilots, FLTLT Crick and FLGOFF Kitcher after completing a mission during Exercise Arnhem Thunder 21. Right: 33SQN personnel with a KC-30A MRTT in the Middle East. Defence images.

CAE Defence & Security

CAE is an enduring member of the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) Enterprise Partnership. Our role is to deliver training to ensure the safety and mission readiness for the aviators that employ this capability. The MRTT Training system is supported by simulation devices with the first KC30A full-flight and mission simulator to RAAF Base Amberley delivered by CAE in 2010. Three years later this device became the world’s first A330 MRTT simulator formally qualified to level D, the highest qualification for flight simulators, and accredited by the Australian Defence Force Airworthiness Authority. We currently have three devices on the KC-30A program to include the Full Motion Simulator (FMS), as well as the Part Task Trainer (PTT) and an Integrated Procedures Trainer (IPT).

It has been our privilege to train more than 400 students in support of the RAAF KC-30A program. Supporting 170 courses over the course history, our onsite staff of instructors, maintenance and operations personnel have provided over 43,000 hours of training to students.

CAE continues to supports to the RAAF (33 Squadron, Heavy Lift Air Supply Program Office [HALSPO] and 86 Wing) by providing Through Life Support (TLS). CAE maintains and upgrades simulators and ongoing engineering support, as well as facilitating training for students both classroom and via our Pilot and Air-toAir Refuelling Instructors.

How does the training help prepare aircrew for future roles?

Students exiting initial flight training or other RAAF platforms can utilize the conversion type training of the KC-30A training system to transition to the A330 / MRTT. In addition to the conversion and categorisation training courses, CAE also delivers Squadron approved Cyclic and Currency training in support of 33 Squadron operational requirements. This supports the RAAFs temporal model to Raise, Train and Sustain capability.

CAE develops and delivers several A330 MRTT air refuelling officer parttask trainers (ARO PTT) to air forces around the world, to include the RAAF and UAE Air Force. The CAEdeveloped ARO PTT is a sophisticated, high-fidelity training device designed to train the air refuelling officer – often called the boom operator – on the demanding tasks of a refuelling mission in a safe, cost-effective synthetic environment. The trainer features a seven-channel CAE Medallion-6000 visual system combined with stereographic 3D goggles and displays to provide a realistic 3D view of the boom itself and approaching receiver aircraft. Using the ARO PTT, crews practice the procedures and techniques of air refuelling operations to become proficient, thus significantly reducing the amount of airborne training required.

How are emerging technologies having an impact on training?

The needs of all training cannot be met in a single solution. CAE has a scalable scope of synthetic-based training solutions to include immersive environments, mixed reality, AR/VR, Learning Management Systems and traditional classroom instruction. This comprehensive learning ecosystem leverages our experience and capabilities to ensure that training needs are met at every scale. For example with the A330 MRTT, training can include fuel transfer, boom extension/retraction and fuel

delivery system malfunctions. We have delivered several programs that included scalable levels of fidelity, from basic air-to-air refuelling procedures to very high fidelity training systems based on actual flight test data.

Military customers worldwide are seeking solutions to train mariners, soldiers and aviators faster, more efficiently and in secure environments. CAE is the world’s leading platform agnostic training and simulation pure play; ensuring mission readiness by integrating solutions across all five battlespace domains. We have 75 years of experience and expertise in modelling and simulation that provides our military customers an unparalleled training experience in digital ecosystems that enhance mission readiness.

Additionally, CAE leverages advancements in AI, cloud computing, immersive synthetic environments, and adaptive learning to provide an agile ecosystem. For example, we are involved in programs such as the Mission Command System Common Operational Picture for the U.S. Special Operations Command and the Single Synthetic Environment for the UK Strategic Command where cloud-based synthetic environments can offer decision support, what-if course of action analysis, and faster than real-time simulation.

We are consistently working to innovate our solutions to increase defence readiness. Our industry requires a continual evaluation of capabilities and adaptive learning to meet new requirements leveraging advanced technologies. In November, CAE was awarded a Defence Innovation Hub contract to develop a deployable augmented reality 3D virtual modelling tool that is designed to assist defence with AI enabled decision support to planning. The Australian Defence Force is focused on improving situational awareness, and improved simulation, modelling and training. CAE supports the evolution of training and recognizes the critical role immersive environments play in ensuring mission readiness.

CAE is at the leading edge of digital innovation providing training and mission support solutions across multi-domain operations – air, land, maritime, space and cyber. We are committed to being our customer’s partner of choice to help elevate safety, efficiency and readiness so that our customers can achieve their best performance.

Matthew Sibre Managing Director, Indo-Pacific Region CAE Defense & Security

Above: Operating from the CAE KC-30 simulator at RAAF Amberley, a 33SQN pilot approaches a United States KC-135 simulated aircraft. This image has been digitally manipulated. Left: Mr Mervin Sayseng, a Simulator Software Engineer with CAE monitors the training room during Coalition Virtual Flag 16. Defence images.

SUMMER MIGHT BE ENDING BUT CANBERRA’S PROPERTY MARKETING IS JUST HOTTING UP

Investors of residential apartments should not overlook the heated Canberra market according to the Australian Capital Territory’s most prolific developer, Geocon Group. Canberra’s largest property developer, Geocon Group, recorded an incredible result for 2021, with residential property sales, exchanges and settlements exceeding all expectations and pre-Covid figures. Reflecting these remarkable results, Canberra investors have benefited from the highest capital city gross annual yields and the leading total investment returns inclusive of yield and capital growth over 2021, with the ACT not looking to slow down in 2022.

More opportunities for apartment investors in Australia’s capital city

Responsible for delivering more than one third of new apartments in the national capital, Geocon is shaping Canberra’s skyline, and is an industry leader in large scale, high-rise residential and commercial developments. In Canberra’s city centre, Geocon completed its Metropol project in October 2021, with few remaining apartments available to move-in now. Designed by acclaimed architects – Fender Katsalidis – the three-building precinct offers premium residential amenity in a convenient, central location.

After the immense success of Metropol, it’s no surprise Geocon has commenced work on a second city-based project, Allara Street. The new blue-chip precinct is currently in the community consultation phase and is scheduled to launch early April 2022. Delivering on Geocon’s brand promise, Allara Street will create ample and affordable opportunity for buyers and investors alike.

In Belconnen, Nightfall represents the final chapter of Geocon, and Australia’s, largest mixed-used precinct – Republic. Topping out in November 2021, the community-led Nightfall building prepares to welcome buyers and tenants from April 2022, showcasing an array of high-end amenities for residents to use as an extension of their home. Selling successfully to investors and owner-occupiers, few 2 bedroom apartments remain from $534,900. With the booming suburb of Woden undergoing an extensive decade-long reinvigoration, Geocon is currently constructing a once-in-a-generation opportunity with a master planned, amenity rich precinct - WOVA. Boasting 802 apartments, WOVA will bring connectivity and community to the landmark revival. Construction has commenced with the completion of WOVA penned for 2024. 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments at Woden’s most sought after precinct, WOVA, start from $399,900. In Tuggeranong and Gungahlin, Geocon has partnered with Empire Global to deliver two landmark projects. Based in Tuggeranong, Aspen Village offers lake views, unrivalled amenity, and access to government employment hubs in Greenway, while The Establishment in Gungahlin promises a connected lifestyle with access to the Hibberson Street light rail only a five-minute stroll from resident’s doorstep. 1, 2 and 3-bedroom residences now selling off the plan from $367,900 and $325,395 respectively. With another solid year in prospect, Canberra house prices are set to increase by between 8% and 10% over 2022 with unit prices likely to increase by 5-7%. Canberra rents will also continue to surge, rising again by 10%+ over the year - for both houses and units (My Housing Market Report, December 2021). Leading property economist and commentator, Dr Andrew Wilson, anticipates that Canberra will maintain its position as the “top performer for total gross investment returns”. “Canberra is set maintain its position as the strongest capital city economy with the lowest unemployment rates and highest wages - which will be enhanced in a postlockdown economic surge through 2022 and boosted by increasing federal government spending directly assisting the local public sector. The strong local economy will continue to fuel rising housing demand and buyer capacity.” explains Dr Wilson. Furthermore, “higher returns for investors also provide advantages for the Canberra market compared to other capitals and again offers a positive driver for demand and higher prices. With another solid year in prospect, Canberra house prices are set to increase by between 8% and 10% over 2022 with unit prices likely to increase by 5-7%. Canberra rents will also continue to surge, rising again by 10%+ over the year - for both houses and units.” said Dr Wilson.

Explore Geocon projects here and book an inspection today at one of our display suites.

Lessons learnt in fuel safety

In order to conduct safe and reliable air operations, Air Force requires confidence in the entire fuel supply chain – from the refinery to the wing-tip of the aircraft.

To minimise the risks, Headquarters Air Command has developed a Core Risk Profile (CRP) for the Air Force aviation fuel capability.

Safety occurrences and issues relating to aviation fuel have been well reported for many years. However, risk management has often been focused and context dependent, with no overarching reference covering the entire system.In response to this issue, the Air Force Safety Board requested a detailed risk assessment of the Air Force aviation fuel capability.

Analysis of Defence Fuel Supply Chain Event reports highlighted inconsistent fuel handling practices, frequent maintenance/construction induced incidents, and investigations lacking key information.

This analysis, coupled with other reporting and data, informed the development of a CRP, which broke down the data, identifying four notable hazards – loss of fuel containment, ignition of fuel vapour, loss or degradation of fuel supply and loss of fuel quality control.

In doing so, the CRP laid the foundations for how best to minimise these risks across the refinery to aircraft wing-tip continuum.

Flying Officer Jay Fitzpatrick, fuel capability adviser with Headquarters Combat Support Group, was influential in the development of the CRP.

“The CRP will be adopted as the primary reference for Air Force aviation refuelling risk management and assurance activities,” FLGOFF Fitzpatrick said.

“This will ensure the risk to personnel – as well as capability, mission, financial, reputation and environment – is eliminated or otherwise reduced so far as reasonably practicable.”

At the local level – for aviation fuel operators – there have been many improvements identified in the CRP. These include changes to fuel sampling procedures, the introduction of new equipment, and the development and implementation of improved decontamination processes.

However, safety in the workplace requires a proactive approach from all involved.

Ongoing reporting of safety events and issues is vital. Risk management – prior to and during – tasking needs to be maintained. Strict adherence to the Permit to Work process is essential.

Defence has a moral and legal obligation to ensure risks to the health and safety of personnel arising from military operations are eliminated or otherwise minimised so far as is reasonably practicable. Advances in fuel risk assessment and safety procedures is just one example of how we aim to meet this obligation.

Below: 2SQN Aircraft Technician Samantha Woods monitors tank levels while refuelling an E-7A Wedgetail during Exercise Gauntlet Strike, RAAF Tindal. Defence image.