The US fighter aircraft has finished its first commercial air-to-air refueling from a commercial service provider.
US fighter aircraft (Photo: Defense One)
US Fighter Aircraft Completes First Commercial Air-to-Air Refueling
According to PACOM, the Metrea Strategic Mobility-owned tanker refueled two of US fighter aircraft between June 23-29, marking the service’s first air-to-air refueling from a commercial service provider.
Ty Thomas, head of Metrea’s Air and Space group stated that they look forward to supporting the US Air Force and refueling the US fighter aircraft and the increasing demand from both allies and partners.
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US Fighter Aircrafts: Naval Air System Command’s Commercial Air Refueling Procurement and Competitors
According to Aviation, Naval Air System Command has been procuring commercial air refueling services to the US fighter crafts for 20 years. It was the initial provider of Boeing 707s and a McDonnell Douglass DC-10. Until 2021, when Metrea was launched and became a competitor in the market. Then, earlier this year, it provided US fighter aircraft its first commercial boom refueling service.
Ty Thomas has also stated during an interview at the Royal International Air Tattoo, that Metrea is proceeding to expand its services to the market by directly supporting operational units assigned to the US fighter aircraft and the Air Force’s regional command all over the world.
