20230715 (306)_31-14_Eurofighter_Typhoon
The rear end of a Royal Netherlands Air Force MRTT in the static at RIAT 2023 held at RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire, looming above a jazzily schemed Luftwaffe Typhoon behind one of the drogue pods on the wings. Unseen to the left a Belgian F-16A boom receiver is behind the refuelling boom beneath the rear fuselage. Contributing to the Skytanker theme of the show, it was a good demonstration of NATO interoperability - a chance well and truly missed in creating the current RAF tanker fleet, particularly ironic considering the number of recent boom receiver purchases such as RC-135 and P-8. The world's largest military airshow, with participants from around the globe, RIAT is a must each year for UK aviation enthusiasts at least.
20230715 (306)_31-14_Eurofighter_Typhoon
The rear end of a Royal Netherlands Air Force MRTT in the static at RIAT 2023 held at RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire, looming above a jazzily schemed Luftwaffe Typhoon behind one of the drogue pods on the wings. Unseen to the left a Belgian F-16A boom receiver is behind the refuelling boom beneath the rear fuselage. Contributing to the Skytanker theme of the show, it was a good demonstration of NATO interoperability - a chance well and truly missed in creating the current RAF tanker fleet, particularly ironic considering the number of recent boom receiver purchases such as RC-135 and P-8. The world's largest military airshow, with participants from around the globe, RIAT is a must each year for UK aviation enthusiasts at least.