Three German Eurofighter EF2000 jets completed a record-breaking endurance flight for multirole fighters. They remained airborne for a total of 10 hours and 31 minutes.
Three fighters flew from Japan to Hawaii with the support of KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft operated by the private aerospace company Metrea. This contractor performs in-flight refueling and recently acquired 14 KC-135 aircraft from the French Air and Space Force.
The long-distance flight took place as part of the Pacific Skies exercises. The three Eurofighters took off from Chitose Air Base on the island of Hokkaido, where they had participated in the Nippon Skies 24 exercises. According to the German Air Force, the pilots had to perform several refuelings to reach Hawaii. Initially, eight refuelings were planned, but the fourth was unnecessary due to sufficient fuel, and the sixth was skipped due to a tailwind.
“Never before has a Eurofighter remained in the air longer than now,” the service reported. “After 10 hours and 31 minutes, the fighters landed at Hickam Air Force Base in Pearl Harbor. We raised glasses of Guinness to celebrate.”
The fighters are currently in Hawaii, where they will participate in this year’s Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) international maritime exercises alongside German Navy ships, as well as ships and aircraft from other countries.
It is noted that the previous longest flight for fighter jets was 8 hours and 36 minutes. This record was held by the Royal Air Force’s Typhoon fighter jets, which participated in operations against ISIS in the Middle East in September 2017.
It is unknown how many tankers were involved in supporting the record-breaking mission of the fighters, but at least one was provided by Metrea. In a video released by the Air Force, the Eurofighter, piloted by the squadron commander, is seen taking on fuel from one of the KC-135 tankers using a “probe and drag” system.
“We are proud to have supported our partners in the German Air Force during their challenging flight from Japan to Hawaii. 10.5 hours is a new record for the Eurofighter,” said Metrea. “Long flights over the Pacific Ocean are never easy, with limited diversion options and challenging weather conditions. The German Air Force did an excellent job. I am also proud of our team at Metrea, which prepared and executed this mission flawlessly.”
Source: twz
