MRTT Tanker Aircraft Conducts First Air-to-Air Refueling Mission with Czech JAS-39 Gripen

Defense News ,Swiden :-  In a significant achievement, just two weeks after their initial meeting over Czech territory, the Multinational Multirole Tanker Transport Unit (MMU) successfully completed their first air-to-air (AAR) refueling mission with Czech JAS-39 Gripen on February 27, 2024. The Czech Air Force fighters joined the A330 Multinational Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) tanker for AAR training in the airspace over Pardubice, marking the end of an intensive certification process.

The journey towards this success began with the first test flights with the Swedish company SAAB's fighter in October 2022, conducted in collaboration with the Swedish Defence Material Administration (FMV T&E). Two modified Gripen aircraft were involved in these test flights, allowing the measurement of forces during air-to-air refueling and specific fuel pressures in the system. The tests took place over Swedish airspace, with the tanker departing from Eindhoven Airbase, the Main Operating Base of the MMU.

The certification process for the NATO MRTT Fleet (MMF) is usually initiated by the receiver nations. The Dutch Military Aviation Authority carefully reviews documents in coordination with the MMU, determining if real testing is necessary. The MMU test pilot explains, "If there is an existing AAR clearance with an aircraft from different nations, we check for differences between them and decide whether further testing is required." Currently, the MMF is certified to refuel over 13 different aircraft types, with several others in the certification process.

The Multinational Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) Fleet (MMF) plays a crucial role by providing strategic transport, air-to-air refueling capabilities, and medical evacuation capabilities to its six participating nations: Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, and Norway. The fleet, owned by NATO and managed by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), consists of seven Airbus A330 MRTT aircraft, set to expand to ten by 2026.

Operated by the Multinational Multirole Tanker Transport Unit (MMU), the fleet comprises military personnel from the participating countries and is based at the Main Operating Base (MOB) in Eindhoven (the Netherlands) and the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Cologne (Germany). The NSPA provides support to participating nations through its MRTT Fleet Support Partnership, emphasizing the reliability and strength of the collaborative effort.

In conclusion, the successful air-to-air refueling mission between MMU and Czech JAS-39 Gripen showcases the continuous efforts for improvement and the reliable partnership within the Multinational Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) Fleet. This accomplishment adds another aircraft to MMU's portfolio of receivers, reinforcing the unit's capabilities and the effectiveness of NATO's collaborative initiatives.