Navy Awards Omega, CASS Commercial Air-to-Air Refueling Contracts
On the 29 June, the United States Navy (USN) awarded two commercial operators contracts to provide contractor-owned, contractor-operated, air-to-air refuelling services to the Department of the Navy as well as other Department of Defense (DOD) customers. The total value of the award is just over $900 million, split between the two operators. Rather than the DOD paying the operators a single sum upon the contract being awarded, the two organisations will have the opportunity to compete for individual orders with payment being made upon orders being issued.
Omega Aerial Refueling Services, one of the operators selected by the Navy, has provided commercial refuelling services to the organization since 2001. It operates a fleet of former Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) tankers, as well as several converted civilian types. While most of its fleet of KDC-10s and KC-707s are equipped only with a “drogue” refuelling system, one of its KDC-10s (Formally of the RNLAF) is also equipped with a “flying boom” system. Another RNLAF KDC-10 has also been bought, but not yet delivered to Omega.
The other operator awarded a contract is a team made up of CASS Professional Services Corporation and Meta Strategic Mobility. Like Omega, its fleet is made up of former foreign government aircraft, in this case, four KC-135Rs acquired from the Republic of Singapore Air Force in 2020. All of the KC-135Rs operated by the CASS team are outfitted with both a boom and drogue system, allowing them to support a variety of aircraft types.
The two contractors are expected to support a wide variety of training operations on both coasts of the United States, as well as overseas. According to the DOD, these activities will include pilot initial training, refresher treating, and supporting a variety of DOD and government customers. The contracts run through to July 2026.