TAS acquires six ex-RAF L-1011 TriStar tanker and transport aircraft

a
World Aviation Defense & Security Industry News - TAS
 
 
TAS acquires six ex-RAF L-1011 TriStar tanker and transport aircraft
 
Tempus Applied Solutions (TAS) announced today that the company has entered into a definitive purchase agreement for the acquisition of six Lockheed L-1011s formerly owned and operated by the Royal Air Force (RAF) of the United Kingdom.
     
TAS acquires six ex RAF L 1011 TriStar tanker and transport aircraft 640 001A Royal Air Force L-1011 TriStar transport aircraft is pictured landing at an airfield in the Middle East
(Credit: Crown Copyright) 
     
Four of these aircraft are specifically configured for air-to-air refueling (AAR) operations and the remaining two are configured for passenger and cargo operations only. Although the aircraft served the RAF and NATO for 30 years until their retirement in 2014, the aircraft have many years of service life remaining. The L-1011s have been in flyable storage in the UK since their retirement. The closing of the acquisition will take place following satisfactory inspection of the aircraft and associated log books and support equipment.

The company intends to utilize three of the AAR configured aircraft while the additional three aircraft will be used as spare parts. Marketing of the aircraft for contractor owned/operated AAR operations will begin immediately with a focus on the US Navy, NATO, and other allied air forces which require hose and drogue AAR services. The aircraft are currently registered in the United States and will be ferried from the UK to an existing TAS base of operations in the continental USA upon acceptance and the completion of required maintenance.

Company CEO Scott Terry stated, "We are very encouraged to have found a potential solution for the shortage of AAR services that currently exist within the US Navy and Marine Corps tactical aviation and many NATO/Allied air forces. We will perform the necessary inspections and evaluations over the next several weeks in order that the transaction can close as soon as possible."