The RAF notoriously lacks a increase air-to-air refueling functionality to help the Poseidon, and the simulated refueling with a KC-135 indicators steps are being taken to deal with the difficulty.
A RAF (Royal Air Power) P-8A Poseidon acquired gasoline mid-air for the primary time, or at the least simulated the operation, from a U.S. Air Power KC-135 Stratotanker in two sorties throughout the ongoing Train Cobra Warrior 25-2 in the UK. Each the providers introduced the occasion, stressing upon the operation’s function in increasing the capabilities of the P-8A and additional strengthening allied interoperability.
This can be a vital milestone for the RAF’s P-8A Poseidon, additionally formally designated the Poseidon MRA1, because it lacked a UK-based refueling possibility. In actual fact, the Voyager KC2 and KC3 (British designation for the Airbus A330 MRTT) notoriously lack a increase, required to refuel the Poseidon, as a substitute being outfitted solely with a hose-and-drogue refueling system.
The milestone comes simply weeks after 42 (TB – Torpedo Bomber) Squadron was formally re-established at RAF Lossiemouth in a ceremony attended by King Charles III. One of many unit’s Poseidons took half within the refueling mission.
Refueling sortie
RAF Lossiemouth launched on Sep. 22 undated footage from inside a P-8A cockpit whereas connecting with the American KC-135 from RAF Mildenhall’s one hundredth Air Refueling Wing (ARW). The bottom stated on X: “42 (TB) Sqn has made RAF historical past! As a part of Ex COBRA WARRIOR, they’ve performed the primary air-to-air refueling of a RAF P8 within the UK. That is an incredible step in increasing the capabilities of the P8.”
The clip from contained in the P-8A cockpit exhibits the increase extending from its shroud, with a portion of its size disappearing behind the cockpit windshield. This could recommend that an precise contact could have taken place.
Alternatively, the U.S. Air Power, releasing photos captured from the tanker, known as the occasion a “simulated aerial refueling train,” mentioning it occurred on Sep. 17 over the North Sea. The photographs don’t present the refueling increase making contact with the P-8A’s receptacle, which is positioned above the cockpit.
Contemplating this, we have no idea if the gasoline switch in the end occurred and if there was a contact in any respect. The “simulated aerial refueling train” may need solely included procedures for the rejoin, motion to the pre-contact and speak to positions, in addition to the publish refueling separation.
Nonetheless, the RAF talked about two sorties with out offering dates. Due to this, we will’t exclude {that a} first sortie solely simulated the refueling and through a second one the operation truly occurred and gasoline was transferred.
Anyway, the mission may not have taken a number of certification and flight trial efforts, for the reason that P-8A within the U.S. Navy service is already cleared to obtain gasoline from the KC-135, routinely connecting with the plane, each over the CENTCOM and the EUCOM areas. Equally to what’s being executed with different packages, such because the E-7 Wedgetail, the U.S. Navy and RAF may need shared the required data to conduct the operation.
42 (TB) Sqn has made RAF Historical past!
As a part of Ex COBRA WARRIOR, they’ve performed the primary air-to-air refuel of a RAF P8 within the UK. pic.twitter.com/wSEEkaSDoF
— RAF Lossiemouth (@RAFLossiemouth) September 22, 2025
The RAF operates a complete of 9 P-8As delivered since February 2020, and are additionally assigned to the No. 120 Sqn and the No. 201 Sqn, beside the 42 (TB) Sqn. The 42 (TB) can also be an ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Concentrating on and Reconnaissance) Operational Conversion Unit, which trains crews and engineers for the P-8A Poseidon and the E-7 Wedgetail.
Serving to UK’s P-8A fleet
On Fb, whereas revealing that two sorties with the British P-8A and the U.S. KC-135 occurred throughout Train Cobra Warrior, RAF Lossiemouth stated: “The power to obtain gasoline within the air is an important step in increasing the P-8s capabilities, guaranteeing extra time securing the seas and skies with out the necessity to return to base.”
The UK Defence Journal named one Sqn. Ldr. Kane, who “beforehand served on alternate with the US Navy and gained in depth expertise testing Poseidon refuelling with each KC-135 and KC-46 tankers, captained the historic flight.”
The report additional quoted an RAF spokesperson: “This can be a main milestone for the UK Poseidon. The P-8 is already a flexible plane however having the ability to lengthen the time these missions can keep within the air can be of giant profit to each the RAF and our allies.”
Lately a P-8A Poseidon from @RAFLossiemouth tracked a Russian touchdown ship, the RFN Aleksandr Shabalin, by means of the English Channel.
The RAF conducts maritime patrolling across the clock to guard our seas and efficiently deterring our adversaries stays an RAF precedence. pic.twitter.com/Ehujp7VcLV
— Royal Air Power (@RoyalAirForce) January 16, 2025
The added functionality may profit additionally the Deutsche Marine’s (German Navy’s) P-8A fleet, which Berlin and London have deliberate to mix for future joint maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare missions within the North Sea and the North Atlantic.
Train Cobra Warrior
Train Cobra Warrior 25-2 is already seeing the participation of two USAF B-52H Stratofortress bombers from Barksdale AFB’s 307th Bomb Wing, which arrived at RAF Fairford on Sep. 12, forward of the train.
The captions of the KC-135 and P-8A refueling’s photos on DVIDS known as Cobra Warrior 25-2 “the Royal Air Power’s premier tactical coaching occasion,” including that it “offered alternatives for allied and associate nation air forces to be taught from each other, together with throughout this primary ever simulated aerial refueling train between a U.S. Air Power KC-135 and an RAF P-8 Poseidon.”
