The Voyager, which is a modified version of the A330-220 airliner designated KC-30, has performed five out of 20 planned test flights and the final test to achieve F-35 tanking certification should be completed by mid-June this year.

The Voyager has a maximum fuel capacity of 111t and will be a vital asset when it comes to the future RAF and Royal Navy short takeoff vertical landing F-35B operations from RAF Marham.  Refuelling is also extremely important since it is a necessary step on the path to the 617 Sqn declaring initial operational capability in just a few years.

The United Kingdom currently has just under 20 personnel assigned to the Lighting II development team at NAS Patuxent River.  Most of these personnel will take part in the third and final F-35B sea trial aboard a Marine Corps Wasp-class assault ship later in the year. 

The Royal Australian Air Force has its own version of the Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT).  It completed its F-35A refueling trials in California late last year.  An Italian Air Force KC-767A was actually the first tanker not owned and operated by the United States military to receive the F-35 certification.