UK says 'no thanks' to BAe 146 tanker

The UK Ministry of Defence has distanced itself from any possible future use of the BAe 146 as a refuelling tanker, following the concept’s recent promotion by BAE Systems Regional Aircraft.
A core fleet of nine Voyagers will replace the Royal Air Force’s remaining Lockheed TriStar tankers and retired Vickers VC10s, with six of the AirTanker-supplied type now in service.
BAE unveiled an offer to modify the 146/Avro RJ regional airliner for the tanker role during the DSEi exhibition in London last month. The company, which has already supplied two military transport-adapted C3-model aircraft to the RAF, says the type could be equipped with a hose drum unit and auxiliary tanks, enabling it to transfer up to 18t of fuel.
A first proximity trial was performed in 2009 using an RAF Hawk T1 trainer to investigate the concept’s feasibility.
flightglobal

BAE System keen to convert BAe 146 into aerial tanker

BAE systems says it is eyeing a new military variant of the BAe 146/Avro RJ regional jetliner for use in aerial refueling missions.
The aircraft, with its high wing and T-tail configuration, is ideal for air-to-air refueling (A2R) operations and BAE Systems Regional Aircraft unit has already carried out proximity flight trials using a BAe 146-200, Avro RJ85 and Hawk jet trainer.
upi

BAE Systems Delivers BAE 146C Mk 3 Aircraft to the RAF

BAE Systems Regional Aircraft has delivered on time and on budget two BAe 146-200QC (Quick Change) aircraft that have been converted from commercial to military configuration for use by the Royal Air Force.
After a period of familiarisation and operational trials, both aircraft have now been declared as Released To Service (RTS) by the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence.
Known in RAF service as the BAe 146 C Mk.3, the two aircraft have been converted under a £15.5 million contract awarded to BAE Systems Regional Aircraft at Prestwick under an Urgent Operational Requirement (UOR) to augment tactical aircraft numbers, particularly the Lockheed C130 Hercules force, during the upcoming extraction phase of Operation Herrick, the current Afghanistan.

defencetalk

BAE 146 C.MK 3 AIRCRAFT DELIVERED TO THE UK ROYAL AIR FORCE

BAE Systems Regional Aircraft has delivered on time and on budget two BAe 146-200QC (Quick Change) aircraft that have been converted from commercial to military configuration for use by the Royal Air Force.
After a period of familiarisation and operational trials, both aircraft have now been declared as Released To Service (RTS) by the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence.
Known in RAF service as the BAe 146 C Mk.3, the two aircraft have been converted under a £15.5 million contract awarded to BAE Systems Regional Aircraft at Prestwick under an Urgent Operational Requirement (UOR) to augment tactical aircraft numbers, particularly the Lockheed C130 Hercules force, during the upcoming extraction phase of Operation Herrick, the current Afghanistan campaign.
baesystems

RAF takes delivery of BAe 146 C3 transports

The UK Royal Air Force has accepted two freshly modified BAe 146 quick change transports, with the pair to be deployed to Afghanistan following the completion of training activities and electronic warfare system trials.

Previously operated by TNT Airways, the passenger/freighter aircraft have been brought up to the new C3 operating standard under an urgent operational requirement deal contracted with BAE Systems during 2012. Now in grey service markings, the aircraft carry the military registrations ZE707 and ZE708.

flightglobal

BAe 146 SOLUCION A RETRASOS EN ENTREGAS DE AVIONES DE TRANSPORTE/BAe 146 COULD BE TRANSPORT STOPGAP

Según flightglobal.com BAE Systems está ofreciendo el ya fuera de producción BAe 146 como solución a fuerzas armadas afectadas por retrasos en las entregas de aviones de transporte. En Dicicembre, BAE reveló que Titan Airways, compañia charter, había alquilado uno de sus BAe 146 para cumplir con un contrato de 6 meses con el Ministerio de Defensa en Oriente Medio, para vuelos entre las bases británicas en la zona. BAE aspira a estar presente en el mercado militar de aviones de transporte, debido a los continuos retrasos que están sufriendo proyectos como el A400M. Con el BAe 146 se ofrece una solución intermedia: 50% de la carga que puede desplazar un avión de transporte militar al 10% del coste de un avión especializado.
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According flightglobal.com BAE Systems is offering its out-of-production regional aircraft as a bridging solution for armies and air forces affected by military transport delivery delays. In December, BAE revealed that Titan Airways had leased one of its BAe 146s to fulfil a six-month MoD contract in the Middle East. Titan, a UK-based charter specialist, had been seeking an aircraft to fly "several times a week" between Bahrain, Muscat in Oman and Minhad in the United Arab Emirates, transporting "around 45 passengers" and freight on these sectors. BAE's regional aircraft division is seeking to expand its presence in military markets, because a number of replacement programmes for transport aircraft are running significantly late, and that there may be some opportunities to provide interim capacity. Deployment of an Avro RJ or BAe 146 could allow a military user to "get 50% of the capability of a specialist aeroplane at 10% of the price" when faced with budgetary constraints or technical delays.