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WATCH: IAF fighter jet pilot precisely navigates Sukhoi Su-30 MKI for air-to-air refuelling
Two Indian Air Force pilot fighter jet pilots got their Sukhoi Su-30 MKI planes performed mid-air refuelling with the help of French Air and Space Force `Armee de l`air`-operated Boeing C-135FR tanker.
Highlights
- IAF Sukhoi Su-30 MKI performs air-to-air refuelling
- IAF sought help from French Air Force to add range to the jet
- The IAF contingent is travelling to Australia for Pitch Black 2022
The Indian Air Force has some of the most competent and skilful fighter jet pilots that can put pilots of any country in a soup. Flying a fighter jet is one of the most difficult jobs in the world, being extremely thrilling, but dangerous as well. It's one thing to fly a fighter jet and it's another to fly an advanced fighter jet like Sukhoi Su-30 MKI and that too precisely to fill fuel inside the plane mid-air. Those who know aviation knows the skills, precision and safety it needs for refuelling mid-air, especially when it involves multi-million fighter jets.
Recently, the Indian Air Force shared a video of a fighter jet pilot manoeuvring the Sukhoi Su-30 MKI skilfully to get it refilled mid-air. The fuel was filled by the French Air and Space Force called 'Armée de l'air et de l'espace' operated Boeing C-135FR tanker. The FASF has 11 of these tankers with them.
As can be seen in the video, two Sukhoi Su-30 MKI flanked the tanker on the both the sides to perform simultaneous air-to-air refuelling operation with precision. The fighter jet that can fly at Mach 2 speed coordinated with tanker speed and later a refuelling probe was dropped by the Boeing tanker that attached with the Su-30 MKI's nose mounted fuel shaft.
The operation is said to be performed during the exercise Pitch Black 2022, where the IAF contingent was travelling to the Royal Australian Air Force's Darwin station. The IAF took help of Armée de l'air to travel to the destination without a layover. Unlike passenger aircrafts, fighter jets have smaller size tanks and burn fuel at a higher rate due to speed at which they operate. This limits the range of the aircrafts and hence air-to-air refuelling is performed to save time and effort.
Pitch Black 2022
The Indian Air Force contingent later reached Australia for participating in Exercise Pitch Black 2022 to be held from 19 Aug to 08 Sep in Darwin. This year's exercise will see the participation of over 100 aircraft & 2500 military personnel from various air forces. The IAF contingent, led by Group Captain YPS Negi, comprises over 100 air warriors, deployed with four Su-30 MKI fighters and two C-17 aircraft, said the Indian Air Force.