Airbus and Royal Air Force achieve sustainable aviation fuel milestone
The partners conducted a 90-minute flight with the A330MRTT and replicated an air-to-air refuelling sortie. (Photo: UK MoD/Crown Copyright)
The Royal Air Force, Airbus and other industry partners have conducted the UK’s first ever 100% sustainable aviation fuel flight, replicating an air-to-air refuelling sortie.
The RAF and Airbus have carried out the UK’s first 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) flight, using an RAF A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT).
The flight, conducted in the middle of November, was a joint endeavour between the RAF, Airbus, the UK MoD’s Defence Equipment and Support agency, aircraft leasing company AirTanker and engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce, with fuel supplied by Air bp.
The partners conducted a 90-minute flight from RAF Brize Norton. The Voyager was flown by a combined Airbus, RAF and Rolls-Royce flight crew and replicated an air-to-air refuelling sortie.
The MoD noted in an 18 November statement that sustainable aviation fuel – made from waste-based feedstocks, such as used cooking oil – reduces lifecycle carbon emissions on average by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel.
‘Different approaches will suit different platforms and environments. As such, a range of alternative fuel options are being looked at to ensure the UK is at the forefront of this developing technology,’ the MoD added.
Airbus Defence and Space CEO Michael Schoellhorn added: ‘I commend our UK customer for this achievement which helps pave the way for a sustainable reduction of carbon emissions of our military aircraft fleets.
‘Airbus engineers have made a significant contribution to this RAF mission by providing on-the-ground expertise in recent weeks and securing the necessary MoD military flight permits.’
The event marked the first 100% SAF flight of any aircraft type in UK airspace.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Locally produced loitering munition destined for UAE Navy, says MBDA]()
Eurosatory 2026: Locally produced loitering munition destined for UAE Navy, says MBDA
The contract signed between MBDA and Fly-R will see diamond-shaped loitering munitions developed and prepared in the UAE. How does this move fit into wider market trends in the region?
-
![Eurosatory 2026: MBDA and Thales look to civilian industry for loitering munition scale-up]()
Eurosatory 2026: MBDA and Thales look to civilian industry for loitering munition scale-up
Thales and MBDA have taken steps to ensure the mass production of their respective loitering munition offerings at Eurosatoy, teaming with civilian manufacturers. These moves come amid France’s push towards sovereign drone production and continued market expansion.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: How the deep-strike, loitering munition market skyrocketed to $13.8 billion in three years]()
Eurosatory 2026: How the deep-strike, loitering munition market skyrocketed to $13.8 billion in three years
Ukraine’s rapid development of long-range, deep-strike loitering munitions has helped turn the sector into a market worth an estimated US$13.2 billion. The reasons behind this were outlined during Eurosatory 2026, as other countries embark on the early stages of procuring this capability.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Why security agencies are expanding UAS operations across Europe]()
Eurosatory 2026: Why security agencies are expanding UAS operations across Europe
Uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) are an increasingly important tool for Europe’s law enforcement and public security agencies, with the past two years seeing rapid growth in operational deployment, procurement and regulatory acceptance.
-
![Fuselage of the first US Army MV-75 Cheyenne tiltrotor “is nearing completion”]()
Fuselage of the first US Army MV-75 Cheyenne tiltrotor “is nearing completion”
Bell is advancing construction of the US Army’s next-generation MV-75 Cheyenne tiltrotor as FLRAA programme approaches testing, production and future battlefield deployment.
