February 2 011 Air-to-Air Refuelling Flight Plan An Assessment Joint Air Power Competence Centre von-Seydlitz-Kaserne Römerstraße 140 | 47546 Kalkar (Germany) | www.japcc.org Joint Air Power Competence Centre Title picture © Armée de l’Air Queries and comments on this document should be directed to the Branch Head, Combat Support Branch, JAPCC, von-Seydlitz-Kaserne, Römerstraße 140, D-47546 Kalkar. Please visit our website www.japcc.org for the latest information on JAPCC, or email us at [email protected]. Releasable to the Public Disclaimer: This is a Joint Air Power Competence Centre (JAPCC) assessment of NATO AAR capabilities. The JAPCC is a Centre of Excellence established to provide NATO with a source of independent insight, advice and innovation on Air and Space Power. The views expressed herein do not represent official positions or policies of NATO or any of its member nations. Denotes images digitally manipulated FROM: The Executive Director of the Joint Air Power Competence Centre (JAPCC) SUBJECT: Air-to-Air Refuelling Flight Plan – An Assessment Joint Air Power Competence Centre DISTRIBUTION: Centre de Compétence All NATO Military and Civilian Structures, NATO Nations and Relevant Organisations – de la Puissance Releasable to the Public Aérienne Interarmées von-Seydlitz-Kaserne Römerstraße 140 47546 Kalkar I am pleased to release the “Air-to-Air Refuelling Flight Plan” document, comprising an overall Germany/Allemagne assessment of current Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR) capabilities within NATO and building a joint www.japcc.org perspective inside future requirements and development. This Flight Plan is part of a more ambitious project titled “Enhancing NATO AAR Interoperability,” which has been in develop - TEL +49 2824 90 2200 NCN +234 or 239 2200 ment since 2004 and aims to better utilise a limited resource – in this case AAR capability – FAX +49 2824 90 2274 providing formal guidance on interoperability and standardisation issues. [email protected] This document will also present a catalogue of current and future NATO AAR assets, examin- ing a broad range of issues likely to impact future Alliance AAR planning and execution. It endeavours to increase awareness and, ultimately, standardisation and interoperability across the Alliance. It cannot be ignored that AAR is a critical enabler for achieving the effects necessary to sup- port NATO’s stated Level of Ambition. For this reason, a clear understanding of AAR capability gaps and interoperability limitations is necessary before key NATO decision-makers can de- velop a stra tegy to provide the Alliance with the required AAR capability. This AAR Flight Plan provides NATO agencies and member Nations a means by which to stimulate constructive debate on critical issues, and contains advice to enhance strategic decision-making during AAR procurement. The opinions and recommendations expressed in this document are the JAPCC’s, and are not approved positions by NATO or its member nations. Any errors or omissions in this paper are the responsibility of the JAPCC. The JAPCC encourages reader comments and feedback in order to improve the document contents. For further information, please contact the JAPCC’s AAR Project director, Air Commodore Jan van Hoof via e-mail at [email protected], or through our Subject Matter Experts assigned to the AAR Coordination Cell at [email protected]. Dieter Naskrent Lieutenant General, DEU AF Executive Director JAPCC | Air-to-Air Refuelling Flight Plan – An Assessment | 2011 i TABLE OF CONTENT CHAPTER I Introduction 1.1 Background .........................................................................................................................................................................................1 1.2 Aim ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................1 1.3 Scope ......................................................................................................................................................................................................2 1.4 Assumptions and Limitations ..................................................................................................................................................2 1.5 Authority ...............................................................................................................................................................................................2 1.6 Classification .......................................................................................................................................................................................2 CHAPTER II The Objective of AAR 2.1 Purpose of AAR .................................................................................................................................................................................3 2.2 AAR Effects ..........................................................................................................................................................................................3 2.3 AAR – Force Multiplier ..................................................................................................................................................................4 2.4 AAR – Asset Protection ................................................................................................................................................................4 CHAPTER III AAR Resources 3.1 Tanker Aircraft Inventories .........................................................................................................................................................5 3.2 Tanker Aircraft Characteristics .................................................................................................................................................6 3.3 Increasing Effect and Efficiency from Existing Tankers and Aircrews ....................................................................................................................................................................7 3.4 Increasing the Number of Tankers Available to NATO .............................................................................................9 CHAPTER IV NATO Future AAR Requirements 4.1 Introduction .....................................................................................................................................................................................11 4.2 Future Tanker Numbers ............................................................................................................................................................11 4.3 Future Receiver Numbers........................................................................................................................................................12 4.4 Receiver AAR Characteristics .................................................................................................................................................13 4.5 Types and Characteristics of Tankers ................................................................................................................................14 4.6 UAS Receivers .................................................................................................................................................................................14 4.7 UAS Tankers ......................................................................................................................................................................................14 CHAPTER V Future AAR Employment Concepts 5.1 General Employment Concepts..........................................................................................................................................16 5.2 Employment of Concepts to Enhance Flexibility and Efficiency ....................................................................16 5.3 Air Policing ........................................................................................................................................................................................17 5.4 Operating Environment ...........................................................................................................................................................17 5.5 Basing and Deployment Concepts ...................................................................................................................................17 ii JAPCC | Air-to-Air Refuelling Flight Plan – An Assessment | 2011 CHAPTER VI Tanker Roles – More Capabilities, Same Platform 6.1 Interchangeable and Dual Role AAR and Air Transport .......................................................................................19 6.2 Other Secondary Roles .............................................................................................................................................................19 6.3 Managing All Roles. Risks and Opportunities .............................................................................................................19 6.4 Doctrine for Interchangeable, Dual and Secondary Role Employment ........................................................................................................................................................................20 CHAPTER VII JAPCC Project on Enhancing NATO AAR Interoperability 7.1 Background ......................................................................................................................................................................................21