Acquisition Process
Q. What progress is there with the infrastructure work?
A. The steel work is being erected for a two-bay maintenance hangar, Training Facility with a state of the art simulator, and Ops rooms. This work is progressing on time.
Q. How can you be sure that a PFI service is the best solution for the RAF?
A. The deal has been rigorously negotiated and subjected to exhaustive analysis and appraisal. The contract includes performance incentives, clear pricing arrangements thus precluding excessive profits being made by industry.
Q. Is this privatisation of the Royal Air Force?
A. No. RAF pilots will continue to fly the aircraft when in military use and RAF engineering personnel will undertake maintenance activities alongside civilian colleagues on the aircraft. AirTanker will, create new civilian jobs to support its business.
Q. What progress is being made with the aircraft build?
A. The Airbus A330 that will become the first FSTA completed its maiden test flight on schedule on 4 June 2009 this was delivered to Getafé, Madrid, for modification to military specifications in July 2009. The second aircraft is now in final assembly at Toulouse.
Q. What are the next Project milestones?
A. Delivery of the 2nd aircraft from Toulouse, France to Getafé, Madrid, Spain (Sept 09); Introduction to Service (Oct 2011); Air-to-Air Refuelling in-Service-Date (Mar 2014); Full Service Delivery (Jul 2016).
Q. Where are other parts of the aircraft being made?
A. Other major assemblies of the aircraft are being made in France, Germany and Spain. The normal civil A330 supplier base will be used for the production of the aircraft before its conversion. The conversion work on the first two aircraft will be undertaken in Getafé, Madrid, Spain with the remaining 12 aircraft being converted by FRA at Hurn airport in Dorset, UK.
Capability
Q. Are you concerned that the recent upheaval in Airbus Military and the delay in A400 will affect FSTA?
A. It is for EADS to organise its business, however, FSTA is not produced at the same facilities as A400 and we do not anticipate any adverse effects.
Q. Will FSTA “plug” the gap left by the delay in A400?
A. They are not comparable prgrammes. A400 is a tactical cargo aircraft whereas FSTA‘s primary role is Air-to-Air Refuelling with a secondary passenger transport capability.
Q. How many aircraft will you be purchasing?
A. Under the PFI solution we will not be buying aircraft – we will be paying for a service. However, AirTanker expect to acquire 14 aircraft to provide the service, some of which may be used commercially when not required for Military operations.
Q. Will the number of aircraft being purchased by Air Tanker Ltd be sufficient to replace the existing RAF fleet of VC10 and TriStar aircraft?
A. The 14 A330-200 aircraft being acquired by AirTanker Ltd will be modern aircraft delivering unrivalled levels of capability, reliability, flexibility and economy. Whilst numerically fewer platforms than those currently providing the capability, the new aircraft will be more reliable with greater endurance and higher fuel offload quantities; the new aircraft allows the RAF’s requirements to be met with a less than one for one basis replacement of the current fleets.
Q. When will the PFI service start?
A. The FSTA service will commence in 2011.
Q. Can the VC10s and TriStars last that long?
A. Yes. Although our current fleets of VC10 and Tristar aircraft are doing a superb job, both fleets are coming towards the end of their useful lives.
Q. Will FSTA use Sponsored Reservists?
A. Yes. Our plans include a proportion of the contractor’s workforce will be required to be Sponsored Reservists. This means that, when on operations, they are operating as any other Service personnel and they will be trained accordingly.
Q. How many refuelling points will FSTA have?
A. All FSTA aircraft will be capable of at least twin point refuelling.
Q. What protective measures will be in place as compared to the current fleet?
A. The aircraft will be fitted with a Defensive Aids System.
Q. Can you start passenger services immediately/?
A. We have no current plans to bring forward the Air Transport element of the service. The Contract covers a complex package of requirements that will take time to bring into service. We are not just seeking aircraft, but a fully integrated, through life capability.
Q. When are the first of the new aircraft actually expected to start contributing to ops?
A. There will be a ramp up from 2011 making an increasing contribution to operations.
Q. Will the RAF continue to refuel aircraft from other Allies or will there be a restriction?
A. Yes. The RAF will still be able to refuel from allies and vice versa; beyond certain parameters AirTanker will be entitled to compensation where the RAF takes on more fuel than it gives away.
Cost and financials
Q. How much is the contract worth to AirTanker?
A. The contract value is currently commercially sensitive. We expect the Whole Life Cost of the programme to be in the order of £13Bn. This includes MoD costs, such as fuel and RAF manpower that fall outside the PFI contract.