Tri-Service
RAF's VIP Voyager Enters Service
A Royal Air Force Voyager aircraft is entering service, having been partly converted into a luxury jet to provide travel for the Royal Family and government ministers.
Based on the Airbus A330, its first official job is taking the Prime Minister, Foreign and Defence Secretaries to the NATO Summit in Warsaw.
The makeover was announced in the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review, the argument being that utilising the aircraft will work out cheaper than the current use of charter flights.
READ: SDSR 2015: The Facts
A new seating arrangment sees those getting to 'turn left' when boarding enjoy 58 business seats, allowing for the transportation of sizeable delegations, such as those led by David Cameron to India and China.
When requested to undertake official overseas visits by the government the Royal Family will also have access to the jet.
For those 'turning right' there's more traditional economy-style seating - allowing the plane to fulfill its primary operational roles of RAF air-to-air refuelling and passenger transport.
Air Marshal Sean Reynolds, Deputy Commander Capability said: "The refitting of this RAF Voyager to transform it from a standard air-to-air refuelling and air transport fit to an aircraft suitable for the additional role of VIP transport was completed quickly and efficiently with our Air Tanker partners."
"The reconfigured Voyager... will proudly represent the UK and the RAF across the globe for many years to come."
Mr Phill Blundell, CEO AirTanker Ltd said: “We are pleased to be delivering this additional service for the MOD. It is an excellent example of MOD and UK Industry working together to enhance the capability of Voyager..."
"It has been really satisfying to have worked with high quality UK based suppliers to deliver this project, showcasing the best of British in Aerospace."
Nicknamed 'Cam Force One' by some in the media the aircraft will be based at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire alongside the rest of the Voyager fleet.
Basing it on the extremely succesful Airbus A330 allows it to use almost any airport in the world, complemented by a range of 5,200 miles without the need to refuel.
VOYAGER FACTFILE
- Overall Length: 58.82m • 193ft
- Wingspan: 60.3m • 198ft
- Height: 17.3m • 57ft
- Engines: Two Rolls Royce Trent 772B Turbofans
- Thrust: 72,000lbs each
- Maximum speed: 493 knots • Mach 0.86
- Maximum range: 4,500nm • 5,200 miles • Fully Loaded
- Maximum Altitude: 41,000ft • 7.8miles • 12.5 km
- Passenger capacity: 291
- Maximum freight payload: 43 tonnes • Carried below deck
- Maximum fuel capacity: 111 tonnes
- Fuel Transfer Rate: Up to 1,800 KGS per minute
- Aeromedical: 40 Stretchers, including 3 patient critical care capability
- Crew: Two Pilots • One AAR Mission Systems Operator • Eight Cabin Crew
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