Air-to-Air Refuelling

‘Of all air power force-multipliers, Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR) is amongst the most significant’.

NATO, Allied Tactical Publication (ATP) 3.3.4 Vol II AAR Doctrine (Brussels: NATO Standardization Agency, 2013).

Recent Publication Updates

To keep you up to date, we offer a newsletter service.

10.1.20 New FRA SRD uploaded
27.11.19 New GBR SRD uploaded
18.11.19 New AUS SRD uploaded
14.11.19 New DEU SRD uploaded
14.11.19 New BEL SRD uploaded
05.11.19 New AUS SRD uploaded
30.8.19 New USA SRD uploaded
31.7.19 New FRA SRD uploaded
30.7.19 New CHE SRD uploaded
24.7.19 New DEU SRD uploaded
16.7.19 New DEU SRD uploaded
08.7.19 New DEU SRD uploaded
08.7.19 New SGP SRD uploaded

Air-to-Air Refueling Calendar and Upcoming Events

This calendar shows only the upcoming events for the next three month. To view the full calendar please click here.

Event Registration

No Events on The List at This Time

Air-to-Air Refueling Clearance and Compatibility Database (AAR Matrix)

The source documents for this matrix are the National SRDs posted on this website. Planners and aircrew must use them as the primary and most up-to-date reference when determining compatibility/clearance. This matrix is only an aid. Please click here to open the database in full screen width.

TNKR	TN	RCVR	RN	bm	bda	pod	cl	hdu	bud	bmr	bdar	podr	clr	hdur	budr	BOOM	BDA	POD	CL	HDU	TNKR REMARK	RCVR REMARK	TSRD	RSRD
KC-135 R	FRA	EF-2000	AUT								17	17				0.00	17.00	17.00	0.00	0.00		AUT SRD unavailable.	FRA
C-160 NG	FRA	EF-2000	AUT									17				0.00	0.00	17.00	0.00	0.00		AUT SRD unavailable.	FRA
A-400 M	FRA	EF-2000	AUT													0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00		AUT SRD unavailable.	FRA
C-135 FR	FRA	EF-2000	AUT			7					17	17				0.00	17.00	24.00	0.00	0.00	FRA SRD lists CAT 3 clearance with AUT EF-2000.	AUT SRD unavailable.	FRA
F/A-18 F	AUS	F/A-18 A	AUS			7						7				0.00	0.00	14.00	0.00	0.00	AUS SRD lists CAT 3 with AUS F/A-18F with pods.		AUS	AUS
F/A-18 F	AUS	F/A-18 F	AUS			7						7				0.00	0.00	14.00	0.00	0.00	AUS SRD lists CAT 3 with AUS F/A-18F with pods.		AUS	AUS
F/A-18 F	AUS	EA-18 G	AUS			7						7				0.00	0.00	14.00	0.00	0.00	AUS SRD lists CAT 3 with AUS F/A-18F with pods.		AUS	AUS
KC-30 A	AUS	F/A-18 A	AUS			7						7				0.00	0.00	14.00	0.00	0.00	AUS SRD lists CAT 2 clearance with AUS F/A-18A/B with podsm, with restrictions, see AUS SRD.	AUS SRD lists CAT 2 clearance with AUS F/A-18A/B with pods.	AUS	AUS
KC-30 A	AUS	F/A-18 F	AUS			0						7				0.00	0.00	7.00	0.00	0.00	AUS SRD lists CAT 3 clearance with AUS F/A-18F & EA-18G with pods with restrictions see AUS SRD.	AUS SRD lists CAT 3 clearance with AUS F/A-18A/B with pods.	AUS	AUS
KC-30 A	AUS	KC-30 A	AUS	7						7						14.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	AUS SRD lists CAT 3 clearance with AUS KC-30A with boom.	AUS SRD lists CAT 3 clearance with AUS F/A-18A/B with boom.	AUS	AUS
TNKR	TN	RCVR	RN	bm	bda	pod	cl	hdu	bud	bmr	bdar	podr	clr	hdur	budr

Colour Scheme

Green – Both countries report the same clearance category. Check SRDs of both countries.
Orange- One or both countries do not report the same clearance category. Check SRDs of both countries.

Column Headers

TNKR – Tanker Aircraft Type
RCVR – Receiver Aircraft Type
TSRD – Tanker’s National SRD
RSRD – Receiver’s National SRD

Means of Refuelling Authorized

BOOM=Boom
BDA=Boom Drogue Adapter
POD=Includes Wing Pod and Buddy Drogue
CL=Centre Line Drogue
HDU=Hose Drum Unit

Type of Clearance

CAT1 = CAT 1 Clearance
CAT2 = CAT 2 Clearance
CAT3 = CAT 3 Clearance
CAT? = Clearance Conflict

Air-to-Air Refueling Related Documents

ATP 3.3.4.2

National SRD

National and Organizational Standards Related Documents (SRD)

National and Organizational SRDs are the primary source document and most up-to-date data. Planners & crew must reference SRDs of both receiver/tanker assets to determine compatibility/clearance. SRDs contain operational information and National/Organizational contacts.

NATO SRD

NATO Standards Related Documents (SRD)

Clearances, Training, Capabilities. Submit edit requests at any time to JAPCC. They will be incorporated and put out under silence on the NATO Standardisation Organisation (NSO) AAR Working Group Forum. Promulgation (publishing) happens four weeks after they enter silence.

STANAG & ATP

Additional NATO AAR STANAGs & ATPs

AAR Equipment: Boom-Receptacle System and Interface Requirements

STANAG 7191, ATP-3.3.4.5 Ed A Ver 1
Custodian: USA, Mr. Harry Slusher

AAR Equipment: Probe-Drogue Interface Characteristics

STANAG 3447, ATP-3.3.4.6 Ed A Ver 1
Custodian: USA, Mr. Farhad Choudhury

AAR Signal Lights in Hose and Drogue Systems

STANAG 7215, ATP 3.3.4.7 Ed A Ver 1
Custodian: GBR, Sqn Ldr Gordon Parry

Hose Colour and Markings in Hose and Drogue Systems

STANAG STUDY 7218
Completed April 2016, AARWG awaiting first draft of recommended STANAG
Custodian: GBR, Sqn Ldr Gordon Parry

JAPCC

Air-to-Air Refueling Related JAPCC White Papers

AAR Fact Sheet

AAR Consolidation

AAR Flight Plan

AAR Related Products

FOOD FOR THOUGHT PAPER ON AIR-TO-AIR REFUELLING INTEROPERABILITY

“a tanker is not a tanker without a clearance”

Food For Thought Paper
Created by JAPCC, NATO IS-DI, EDA

Air-to-Air Refueling Related News and Articles

Aerial Tanking in 2035
13 December 2018

Standardizing Automated Air-to-Air Refuelling
20 June 2018

Better Together
17 July 2017

Joint Air and Space Power Think Tank Forum
30 March 2017

JAPCC Supports 6th Straight NATO Refuelling Planning Course
17 March 2017

A400M: Europe’s Interoperability Poster Child? – A Heavily Critiqued European Program Leads the Way for Allied Interoperability and Crisis Response Capability
27 January 2017

NATO and EU Jointly Conclude 1st-Ever Table Top Exercise on Air-to-Air (AAR) Clearance Request/Approval Training
25 January 2017

Air to Air Refueling Working Group Meeting
22 October 2015

First Collective AAR Clearance Trial
14 September 2014

Double Counting or Counting Double?
13 November 2013

Air-to-Air Refuelling

NATO, Allied Tactical Publication (ATP) 3.3.4 Vol II AAR Doctrine (Brussels: NATO Standardization Agency, 2013).

Recent Publication Updates

Air-to-Air Refueling Calendar and Upcoming Events

Point of Contact

Joint Air Power Competence Centre Air Operations Support Branch Air-to-Air Refueling Section

Navigation

Air-to-Air Refueling Matrix

Related Links

The source documents for this matrix are the National SRDs posted on this website. Planners and aircrew must use them as the primary and most up-to-date reference when determining compatibility/clearance. This matrix is only an aid. Please click here to open the database in full screen width.

Colour Scheme

Green – Both countries report the same clearance category. Check SRDs of both countries. Orange- One or both countries do not report the same clearance category. Check SRDs of both countries.

Column Headers

TNKR – Tanker Aircraft Type RCVR – Receiver Aircraft Type TSRD – Tanker’s National SRD RSRD – Receiver’s National SRD