Metrea previously announced that it intends to expand its operations by purchase of up to 14 KC-135 tankers from the French Air and Space Force. The company currently operates four KC-135R aircraft, which were acquired from the Republic of Singapore Air Force.
The War Zone notes that Metrea will have a total of the largest fleet of air tankers in private hands. At the same time, this fleet is smaller than the tanker fleets of only four countries in the world.
It is also worth mentioning that in 2023, Metrea conducted the first-ever use of a private air tanker to refuel tactical jets, the first commercial air refueling of any U.S. Air Force aircraft, and the first commercial air refueling via a special boom.
The portal also notes that it is becoming increasingly common for private air tankers to support various types of military missions.
The first units of this type took to the air in 1994, since then the machines have been constantly modernized. The planes are powered by two bypass engines with a thrust of 60 kN each. The wingspan is less than 11 m, and the carrying area is 50 square meters. Eurofighter weighs 11,000 kg.
The fighter can reach a maximum speed of about 2120 km/h, with a cruising speed of about 1836 km/h. At the same time, the ceiling to which it can climb is 18,300 m. With a full fuel tank (less than 5,000 liters) it can cover over 3700 km.
The armament includes a cannon Mauser BK-27 caliber 27 mmanti-ship missiles (e.g. AGM-84/UGM-84-Harpoon), anti-radar (e.g. AGM-88), anti-aircraft (e.g. IRIS-T, AIM-132 ASRAAM), gliding (e.g. Storm Shadow), anti-tank (Brimstone), or JDAM smart bombs. Eurofighter fighters are in service with the armies of Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Spain, Austria, Oman and Saudi Arabia.
Source: geekweek.interia.pl
