A handout photograph made available on 19 April 2011 released by the British Ministry of Defence (MOD) and dated 18 April 2011 showing the British Royal Air Force (RAF) largest ever aircraft, with a 60 metre wingspan and nearly 60 metres long, coming in to land at Boscombe Down, Wiltshire south west England for the first time. The MOD has announced that the new future strategic tanker aircraft (FSTA) has also been named publicly by the RAF as Voyager. Voyager, a dual role air to air tanker and transport aircraft, will replace the long serving VC-10 and Tristar. The MOD state that it is a considerable capability boost, able to carry 291 troops over 6,000 miles and to air to air refuel other aircraft with 100,000 litres of fuel - greater than two large petrol tankers.MOD pictures show the aircraft at the MOD’s airfield at Boscombe Down in Wiltshire, which will play host to two of the Voyager aircraft during an intensive programme of testing and trials that will continue into next year. On the ground and in the air, the aircraft will be tested in the refuelling role, with Tornado, Sentry, Typhoon and Hercules aircraft. Voyager can refuel aircraft at a rate of 5,000 litres per minute - a garage forecourt petrol pump delivers fuel at 40 litres per minute.Fourteen Voyager aircraft and a complete support package are being provided to the RAF under a 27 year £10.5Bn Private Finance Initiative contract signed with the AirTanker consortium in 2008. In addition to the aircraft, the service will provide training and maintenance, and brand new purpose-built buildings at RAF Brize Norton, the RAF’s air transport hub. EPA/QINETIQ / MINISTRY OF DEFENCE / HANDOUT
A handout photograph made available on 19 April 2011 released by the British Ministry of Defence (MOD) and dated 18 April 2011 showing the British Royal Air Force (RAF) largest ever aircraft, with a 60 metre wingspan and nearly 60 metres long, coming in to land at Boscombe Down, Wiltshire south west England for the first time. The MOD has announced that the new future strategic tanker aircraft (FSTA) has also been named publicly by the RAF as Voyager. Voyager, a dual role air to air tanker and transport aircraft, will replace the long serving VC-10 and Tristar. The MOD state that it is a considerable capability boost, able to carry 291 troops over 6,000 miles and to air to air refuel other aircraft with 100,000 litres of fuel - greater than two large petrol tankers.MOD pictures show the aircraft at the MOD’s airfield at Boscombe Down in Wiltshire, which will play host to two of the Voyager aircraft during an intensive programme of testing and trials that will continue into next year. On the ground and in the air, the aircraft will be tested in the refuelling role, with Tornado, Sentry, Typhoon and Hercules aircraft. Voyager can refuel aircraft at a rate of 5,000 litres per minute - a garage forecourt petrol pump delivers fuel at 40 litres per minute.Fourteen Voyager aircraft and a complete support package are being provided to the RAF under a 27 year £10.5Bn Private Finance Initiative contract signed with the AirTanker consortium in 2008. In addition to the aircraft, the service will provide training and maintenance, and brand new purpose-built buildings at RAF Brize Norton, the RAF’s air transport hub. EPA/QINETIQ / MINISTRY OF DEFENCE / HANDOUT
