UK Upgrades Their Aircraft Refueller Fleet
The UK has launched a refurbishment program for its Large Capacity Aircraft Refueller fleet. Without these vehicles, used to refuel military aircraft, then operations would grind to a halt. The refurbished vehicles will have their service life extended by up to 15 years.
The Large Capacity Aircraft Refueller Life Extension Project (LCAR LEP) is set to upgrade 80 tankers to improve deployability, availability and flexibility. The project is a collaboration between Defence Equipment & Support, the RAF and Terberg DTS UK, with key subcontractors including MAN Truck & Bus UK Ltd and Tasca Tankers Ltd.
During a visit to Terberg’s facility in Halifax, Air Commodore Simon Young, DE&S’ Head of Air Systems, Equipment & Training, met key people involved in the work done so far and said:
“The Large Capacity Aircraft Refueller is a vital Defence-enabling capability, providing the backbone of our aircraft refuelling fleet. These vehicles are out there every day ensuring our aircraft have the fuel they need to deliver their tasks, whether that be securing the skies above the UK, transporting people and equipment around the world or delivering on operations. Without this capability, UK Defence aviation simply doesn’t happen.
Air Cdre Young concluded: “this project is not only extending the life of these vehicles but, through the upgrades being delivered, will provide a more operationally capable vehicle and one that is safer and easier for our personnel to use and maintain.”
So far 14 LCARs have been upgraded and delivered to the UK military, with the first vehicles achieving Initial Operating Capability (IOC). The 20,000 liter (5,300 US gallon) capacity LCARs supply the bulk of the fuel for RAF, Royal Navy and British Army aircraft.
Alisdair Couper, Managing Director of Terberg DTS, said: “The LCAR Life Extension Programme is an extremely important part of Terberg’s Defence contract portfolio and a great example of industry collaborating closely with the MoD. I would like to thank Tasca Tankers and MAN Truck & Bus UK Ltd, who are working with us to extend the life of the mission-essential equipment used to support operations across the Defence environment.”
The Life Extension Project is in the process of refurbishing 80 LCARs. Improvements to the vehicles include replacing the bulk fuel carrying tank and upgrading other components to ensure the vehicle is ADR (Accord Dangereux Routier) compliant. The upgrades are due to be completed in 2025.
Alongside the LCAR life extension program, as part of an overall contract worth approximately £50 million over five years, Terberg DTS UK are also upgrading the UK’s fleet of Small Capacity Aircraft Refuellers (SCAR). This includes replacing the eight current variants with a single 5,000 liter SCAR type that will mainly be used for refuelling helicopters and training aircraft.