VC10

The VC10 CMk1K is a dual-role air transport and air-to-air refuelling aircraft. In the air transport role the aircraft is used for troop carrying, with accommodation for 150 passengers and stewards.

It can easily be converted by use of a large cabin freight door on the forward left side of the aircraft into a dual-role passenger/freight or full freight configuration. In the full freight role the cabin can hold up to 20,500kg of palletised freight or ground equipment and vehicles on its permanently strengthened floor. The aircraft also has an aero-medical evacuation capability where up to 76 stretchers may be fitted.

The aircraft were converted to the air-to-air refuelling role in 1993 with the addition of a refuelling pod under the outboard section of each wing. The aircraft can carry up to 70 tonnes of fuel by utilising their original eight fuel tanks which can be used to feed the aircraft itself or be dispensed to fast-jets. It is capable of refuelling two aircraft simultaneously from the two under-wing pods. The VC10 CMk1K can itself be refuelled by use of its refuelling probe, permanently attached to the aircraft nose.

The VC10 Mk K3 and K4 versions make up the bulk of the RAF’s single role air-to-air fleet. Both versions are a three-point tanker, with fuel being dispensed from either the two wing hoses or from the fuselage-mounted hose drum unit. The wing hoses can transfer fuel at up to 1000kg per minute and are used to re-fuel fast-jets. The hose drum can transfer fuel twice as quickly and are primarily used to refuel ‘heavy’ aircraft. The K3 is equipped with fuselage fuel tanks mounted in what was the passenger compartment and can carry 78 tonnes of fuel. The K4 doesn’t have these internal tanks and can carry 68 tonnes.

Defensively, the aircraft has a low infrared grey paint scheme, a radar warning receiver and a missile protection system comprising of two infrared jammers mounted under the engines at the rear of the aircraft. The aircraft doesn’t carry passengers other than ground-crew and other operational support personnel.

The VC10 is approaching the end of its service life, but continual capability upgrades delivered through Military Air Solutions maintain the aircraft as a significant asset, enabling the rapid deployment of troops, their weaponry and fast jet fighter aircraft around the world.
101 Squadron, based at RAF Brize Norton are the sole operator of the VC10 aircraft. Military Air Solutions are responsible for spares inclusive depth maintenance of the VC10 fleet, conducted at St Athan.

The service is delivered in partnership with the DLO and DARA. Military Air Solutions are also responsible for fleet management and maintenance policy with performance incentivised based on aircraft availability. These arrangements, known as JAVELIN (Joint Approach to VC10 Engineering and Logistics Integration) support the aircraft through to 2011 and will save some £40m.

Specifications

• Powerplant: Four Rolls Royce Conway Turbojets
• Wingspan: 44.55m
• Height: 12.04m
• Length: CMk1K – 48.30m, K3/K4 – 52.32m
• Max Speed: Mach 0.86
• Max Altitude: 43,000 ft
• Crew: 4 (captain, co-pilot, navigator and engineer)