Page 68 - Leverage and Learn

Leverage Allied Investments and Combat Learning Experience in Modernizing the U.S. Military

Antonio Caramazana: From the inception of the A330MRTT, we have put into the market a very flexible asset
with multiple capabilities.

You can combine passenger lift, cargo lift and tanking within the same platform, and countries like Australia
or operating their C-17s with their tankers in very flexible ways in terms of cargo and passenger lift
operating over both platforms while the tanking function allows both to go to the area of interest.

At the same time, with the evolution of militaries look to shape enhanced connectivity in the battlespace, a key
way ahead is to rethink how the tanker can support other combat sets in terms of ISR and C2 functions.

This is work in progress, but given the flexibility of the tanker in terms of internal space, there are many
possibilities for users.

This is about having a smart tanker able to link assets in the battlespace, air, ground or sea.

It can provide an ISR and C2 node function for the joint force in the battlespace. It is an information age
aircraft as well as playing more classical role of a tanker.

Just in Time for the Paris Air Show: The RAAF Conducts Mission 1000

with Its KC-30A Tanker
2017-06-18 Recently, the RAAF just completed sortie 1000 in its Middle East mission.

It has done so with a 93% dispatch rate and has provided approximately 10% of all coalition fuel in the
overall coalition air operations.

They have done this by flying one aircraft!

As the USAF is still waiting for its first operational Boeing tanker, the Aussies are head towards shaping their
Tanker 2.0 concepts of operations and capabilities.

It would make sense for the KC-30A to become the KC-10 replacement if operational realities and coalition
performance is important to the DOD acquisition effort.

Or put bluntly, adopting advanced systems from allies makes a great deal of sense whether they be
Wedgetail, KC-30As, SAMDIS underwater combat systems, MBDA Meteor missiles, etc.

Ramping up American combat capabilities is more important than simply always developing American; and
any kit acquired from abroad is almost always followed by production domestically.

According to the RAAF in piece published on June 15, 2017:

The Air Task Group (ATG) of Operation OKRA, is operating at the request of the Iraqi Government within a US-
led international coalition assembled to disrupt and degrade Daesh operations in the Middle East Region (MER).

The ATG comprises six F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter aircraft, an E-7A Wedgetail airborne command and
control aircraft, and a KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport air-to-air refuelling aircraft.

Additionally, the ATG has personnel working in the Combined Air and Space Operations Centre, and embedded
with the ‘Kingpin’ US tactical Command and Control Unit.

Second Line of Defense

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