Airbus Defence and Space Showcase the Aerial Refuelling (AAR) Kit for Its C-295 Light Tactical Transport Aircraft

Florence, Italy, July 20, 2016 --(PR.com)-- At this year’s Farnborough Air Show, Airbus Defence and Space showcased the aerial refuelling (AAR) kit for its C-295 light tactical transport aircraft. Using a hose-and-drogue system, the AAR kit for the C-295 configures the transport to serve as a low-speed tanker for helicopters, drones and turboprops. The fuel is drawn from the C-295’s main fuel tanks, but the customer can opt for auxiliary tanks. The modification process of adding the AAR kit is ‘minimal.’ The AAR-equipped C-295 can also function as a forward refuelling station on the ground.

(Source: Quwa, 11th July 2016, “In-flight refuelling capable C-295 debuts at Farnborough”)

Against this backdrop, SMi is delighted to announce the line-up of speakers who will be leading presentations discussing aerial refuelling at the 17th annual Military Airlift and Air-to-Air Refuelling conference, taking place on 29th - 30th November 2016 in Florence, Italy:
• Didier Vernet, Military Affairs, Airbus Defence and Space
• Colonel Thomas Torkelson, Commander of 100 AAR Wing, US Air Force Europe
• Colonel Gustavo Cicconardi, Chairman of NATO Air-to-Air Refuelling Group, Italian Air Force
• Colonel Johan van Soest, A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) Programme Steering Group Chairman, Royal Netherlands Air Force
• Michele Rega, Fixed Wing Officer, European Defence Agency

Furthermore, this year's event will also enable you to participate in a governmental panel debate titled ‘Satisfying the Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR) Gap in Europe’ featuring the following speakers:
• Laurent Donnet, Programme Manager Airlift and Air-to-Air Refuelling, European Defence Agency
• Kenneth Carhart, Consultant, NSPA
• Group Captain Elizabeth Purcell, Chief AMCC, NATO SHAPE
• Senior Representative, Movement Coordination Centre Europe
• Major General Christian Badia, Commander, European Air Transport Command
• Colonel Gustavo Cicconardi, Chairman of NATO Air-to-Air Refuelling Group, Italian Air Force

To view the full speaker line-up and conference programme, visit http://www.military-airlift.com/prcom

Plus, don't miss the post-conference complimentary site visit to the Pisa Air Force Base on 1st December 2016:
Following SMi’s 17th Annual Military Airlift and Air-to-Air Refuelling conference, all delegates are invited to our post-conference site visit to the Pisa Air Force base. Transport will be provided to and from the conference hotel for this visit, where delegates will have the opportunity visit the facilities and the aircraft.