--- title: "The British Air Force One is also an aerial tanker" description: "The British Royal Air Force operates a modified Airbus A330 for executive transport." date: "2025-05-30" modified: "2025-05-30" authors: - name: "Miguel Ortiz" job_title: "Senior Contributor, Army Veteran" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/miguelortiz/" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/feature/the-british-air-force-one-is-also-an-aerial-tanker/" categories: - "Aircraft" - "Tactical" --- # The British Air Force One is also an aerial tanker ![]() *(RAF)* Executive transport for heads of state provides a means of safe and secure travel. It can also serve as an ambassador in its own right on state visits. To show support and national pride, countries prefer to operate domestic executive transports. The VC-25s that serve as Air Force One were made by Boeing while Russia’s Il-96 presidential transport aircraft were manufactured by Voronezh. Naturally, the British Royal Air Force operates a modified Airbus A330 for executive transport. ![A Royal Air Force Voyager KC2 refuels two RAF Tornado GR4, March 4, 2015, over Iraq. The RAF aircraft provide combat air support for the coalition against Da'esh. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Perry Aston/RELEASED)]() **A Royal Air Force Voyager KC2 refuels two RAF Tornado GR4, March 4, 2015, over Iraq. The RAF aircraft provide combat air support for the coalition against Da'esh. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Perry Aston/RELEASED)* Staff Sgt. Perry Aston* Britain provides the Rolls-Royce engines as well as the wings for the A330. The civilian airliner serves as the base aircraft for the A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport. Also operated by the air forces of Australia, France, Saudia Arabia, and Singapore, the A330 MRTT can transport passengers, patients, cargo, and fuel for aerial refueling. 14 MRTTs, owned by AirTanker Holdings Limited, are operated under lease by the British RAF; in RAF service, the aircraft has the Voyager KC2 or KC3. Voyager KC3 with registration ZZ336 serves as the primary air transport for the British royal family, prime minister, and other government ministers. ![Business class cabin of an airplane featuring spacious, beige and tan leather seats with individual privacy partitions. Each seat has a plaid cushion and a side console with controls and storage. The cabin is well-lit with overhead lighting and has large windows along both sides. The seats are arranged in a staggered 1-2-1 layout, providing direct aisle access for all passengers. The overall design is modern and luxurious with wood and metallic accents.]() **The VIP interior of ZZ336 (MoD)* Paul Crouch* In 2016, ZZ336 was converted for a VIP transport mission with 58 business class-type seats in the front cabin, 100 premium economy-type seats in the rear cabin, media facilities, missile detection capability, and a secure satellite communication system. However, the aircraft retained its low-visibility, matte-gray military paint scheme. It was not until 2020 that the aircraft received its gloss-white and Union Flag livery and was named *Vespina*. However, *Vespina* is not used by the RAF in the aircraft logbook, as a callsign, or flight number; the A330 MRTT operates as ZZ336. ![Three red Royal Air Force jet trainers flying in formation alongside a larger white Royal Air Force aircraft with a Union Jack design on its tail and "UNITED KINGDOM" written on its fuselage, above a patchwork of green and brown fields under a clear blue sky.]() *Vespina* flies in formation with the Red Arrows (RAF)* SAC Abigail Drewett* Based at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, *Vespina* is flown by No. 10 Squadron RAF which operates the main fleet of Voyagers. On VIP missions, *Vespina* is typically flies with a crew of 13: a pilot, co-pilot, nine flight attendants, and two pursers. Interestingly, *Vespina* still retains its aerial refueling capability. The aircraft has a total fuel load of 244,000 pounds and can dispense 110,231 pounds to receiver aircraft through its two under-wing hoses and refueling pods or its centerline Fuselage Refueling Unit. ![]() *Vespina *flies in formation with four F-35s for the Platinum Jubliee (RAF)** In December 2022, *Vespina* deployed to Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar to support the FIFA World Cup with air-to-air refueling and aerial security sorties. *Vespina* sometimes flies as the lead aircraft in formation with the RAF Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows; this role was previously filled by a British Airways Concorde. During the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, *Vespina* conducted a flypast (flyover) of London. ## Author Miguel Ortiz is a Senior Contributor for We Are The Mighty covering primarily military news and history with an emphasis on weapons technology. He is a former active duty Army officer and remains a member of the Army IRR. After commissioning through San Diego State University Army ROTC, Miguel served with the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, NY. He has written for We Are The Mighty since 2020, drawing from his passion for the military community and history. Miguel’s work has also been seen on Business Insider and The Blast. He remains an avid shooter, competing in local USPSA matches. Miguel’s other hobbies are traveling and watch collecting. ### Author social links [LinkedIn]()