Metrea Commercial Refueling Enables German Air Force Eurofighter Record 10.5 Hour Flight

Metrea is proud to have supported a record-breaking flight by providing commercial air-to-air refueling to three German Air Force Eurofighter aircraft, as part of the “Pacific Skies” exercise. The aircraft flew from Japan to Hawaii on Saturday, July 27th, with a total flight time of 10 hours 31 minutes. Two of Metrea’s KC-135 aircraft provided 6 in-flight refuelings for the three aircraft, offloading 49.5 tons of fuel. For Metrea this marks another historic milestone, after its recent acquisition of the French Air and Space Forces (FASF) KC-/C-135 aerial refueling fleet. In an agreement signed on 17 May 2024, Metrea has agreed to acquire all fourteen of the FASF C-135 tankers, including both the KC-/C-135FR and KC-/C-135RG variants. The FASF is divesting this fleet as they transition to A330-based tankers. The company is currently on contract with US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) for commercial aerial refueling support of US Navy, US Marine Corps, US Air Force and NATO/Allied nations.

“We are proud to support our partners in the German Air Force as they executed this complex movement from Japan to Hawaii,” said Jon “Ty” Thomas, Head of Metrea’s Air and Space Group. “10.5 hours is a new record for the Eurofighter. Long flights over the Pacific are never simple, with few divert options and challenging weather. Ausgezeichnet, Luftwaffe! The German Air Force did an excellent job. I’m equally proud of our team at Metrea, who prepared and executed this mission with excellence. We look forward to more support for the German Air Force as part of Pacific Skies 2024.”

Metrea is the only company to own and operate a fleet of KC-135 aircraft, offering an air-to-air refueling service that seamlessly, safely, and professionally integrates into military aviation training and operations. The Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker is an American military aerial refueling tanker aircraft that was developed from the Boeing 367-80 prototype, alongside the Boeing 707 airliner. The KC-135R has four turbofan engines, mounted under 35-degree swept wings, which power it to takeoffs at gross weights up to 322,500 pounds (146,300 kg). Nearly all internal fuel can be pumped through the tanker’s flying boom, the KC-135’s primary fuel transfer method. A boom operator stationed in the rear of the aircraft controls the boom while lying prone, viewing through a window at the bottom of the tail. A cargo deck above the refueling system can hold a mixed load of passengers and cargo. Depending on fuel storage configuration, the KC-135 can carry up to 83,000 pounds (38,000 kg) of cargo.

The combined Metrea aviation units have flown over 130,000 hours, across multiple aircraft types, missions, and geographies in support of US, UK, and other allied and partner government national security objectives. In addition to the refueling boom, Metrea’s tanker aircraft are equipped with two wing-mounted Multi-Point Refueling System (MPRS) pods which facilitate refueling with probe equipped Navy, Marine Corps and partner nation aircraft. Metrea provides effects-as-a-service to national security partners in five domains and over a dozen mission-centric solution areas, including airborne ISR, electronic warfare, secure communications, aerial refueling, special mission aviation, and advanced simulation. Metrea is headquartered in Washington, DC with facilities across the United States, the United Kingdom, and the EU.