Alenia Aeronautica: Flight Refuelling Tests for the Eurofighter Typhoon with Italian Air Force C-130J Tanker Successfully Completed

Fight-refuelling tests of a double-seat Eurofighter with a KC-130J Hercules of the Italian Air Force in the tanker version have been successfully completed in Decimomannu.>> The aircraft, the Italian IPA2, used in Alenia Aeronauticas testing, after having completed a series of ground tests, has accomplished flight tests through 5 missions (including three in one day only), of which one in a clean configuration, the others with a configuration with three supplementary tanks, two under the wings and a central one under the fuselage.>> During these tests, including a night one, the Typhoon has made 8 wet contacts with the tanker, i.e. with actual fuel transfer by the C-130J.>> The Italian Air Force has started about two years ago a programme for the setting up of eight C-130Js in the tanker configuration for their use, when requested, for domestic needs and within international operations.>>> Alenia Aeronautica, a Finmeccanica Company, is the largest Italian aeronautic player which operates world-wide in the commercial and military aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles and aerostructures. Alenia Aeronautica also coordinates the activities of Alenia Aermacchi and Alenia Aeronavali - wholly owned companies respectively active in the design and manufacturing of military trainer aircraft and in the overhaul, maintenance and modification of military and civil aircraft. With its joint ventures ATR and SuperJet International, Alenia Aeronautica is the world leader in the regional turboprop market and a top player in the regional jet sector. Over 2007 Alenia Aeronautica reported revenues of 2,306 millions Euro, backlog for 8,248 millions Euro and orders for 3,104. The total workforce is 13.301.