Footage captures British Typhoon and Swedish Gripen jets refueling at 30,000 feet

Business Insider recently joined a British Voyager tanker aircraft to witness midair refueling of fighter jets over Eastern Europe. The footage captured shows just how close the fighter jets get to the tanker during the operation.

Midair refueling is a highly risky maneuver, but it allows military aircraft to extend their range far beyond what their onboard fuel permits.

In Estonian Airspace

For most passengers flying at 30,000 feet, spotting fighter jets outside the window is rare. However, for the crew of the Royal Air Force Voyager, its part of a routine mission. Their task involves synchronizing speed with the fighter jets and transferring fuel mid-flight, keeping the aircraft operational for extended missions.

In late November, Business Insider joined a Voyager crew on a nearly nine-hour flight departing from an RAF base in England. The route crossed the Baltic Sea, reached Eastern Europe, and returned near Russian airspace. During this mission, the Voyager refueled multiple British Eurofighter Typhoons, twin-engine multirole fighters produced by a European aerospace consortium. Introduced in 2003, the Typhoon is operated by several NATO nations, including Spain, Germany, and Italy.

The Voyager also refueled Swedish JAS 39 Gripens, single-engine multirole fighters manufactured by Saab. First introduced in the mid-1990s, Gripens are used by fewer nations than Typhoons. Ukraine is planning to acquire several of these jets, which are seen as suitable for their defense needs.

The Refueling Process

A typical fighter jet refueling takes around 10 minutes, with larger aircraft like the E-3 Sentry requiring more time. On the recent flight, the Voyager transferred roughly 20 of the 109 metric tons of fuel it can carry. The tanker features two underwing pods with retractable hoses ending in small baskets, which attach to a mechanical arm on the fighter jet. During refueling, both aircraft travel at about 300 miles per hour.

The fighter jets carefully approach the Voyager's trailing hoses, connecting the basket to the receiving arm. Once a jet completes refueling, it departs, and another takes its position. The operation occurs mere feet apart, demanding precise control and extensive training.

Flight Observations and Aircraft Features

Business Insider observed several fighter jets flying in formation with the refueling operation at times. The Voyagers interior resembles a commercial airliner, with economy seating, overhead bins, toilets, and hot meal service. Based on the Airbus A330-200, it can carry nearly 300 passengers, allowing it to double as a cargo or personnel transport in addition to its refueling role.

Tankers like the Voyager are vital for military operations, as they greatly increase the operational range and endurance of fighter jets and other aircraft. This capability is crucial for strategic missions. The November flight supported NATOs Eastern Sentry defensive operations, initiated in response to Russian drone activity.

Author: Logan Reeves