Third Airbus Military A330 MRTT handed over to Royal Australian Air Force (c) Airbus Third Airbus Military A330 MRTT handed over to Royal Australian Air Force (c) Airbus
The third aircraft in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) expanding fleet of new-generation Airbus Military A330 MRTT multi-role tanker/transports has been formally handed over to the RAAF providing a significant boost to Defence’s in-flight refuelling, air logistics support and air combat capability.
The delivery of the aircraft to RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland, today marks another major milestone for the A330 MRTT programme and the world’s most advanced air-to-air tanker aircraft, designated the KC-30A in Australian military service. The first two KC-30As were delivered in June.
Today’s delivery is the third of five MRTTs ordered by the RAAF. As with the first two aircraft delivered in June, this MRTT was also converted from an Airbus A330 commercial passenger jet to a military tanker/transport by Qantas Defence Services at the Australian MRTT Conversion Centre at Brisbane Airport.
With three MRTTs now in RAAF fleet service, a fourth - actually the first to be converted but at Airbus Military’s headquarters in Spain - will be handed over in Madrid in December. The fifth and final aircraft, which arrived in Brisbane for conversion some weeks ago, will be delivered next year.
All five A330 MRTTs were acquired under AIR 5402 to provide the Australian Defence Force (ADF) with what is the world’s only certified and flying new generation tanker/transport aircraft. The type has also been ordered by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom, with Saudi Arabia having already placed a repeat order.
In RAAF service, the aircraft are equipped with two underwing refuelling pods, the fly-by-wire Airbus Military Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS), and a Universal Aerial Refuelling Receptacle Slipway Installation (UARRSI) enabling it to be refuelled from another tanker. Powered by two General Electric CF6-80E engines, the aircraft are equipped with a comprehensive defensive aids suite (DAS) and fitted with 270 passenger seats.
About the A330 MRTT
Having received its supplemental type certificate from European civil certification Authority EASA in March 2010 and military certification from Spanish Authority INTA in October 2010, the Airbus Military A330 MRTT is the only new generation strategic tanker/transport aircraft flying and available today. The large 111 tonnes/ 245,000 lb basic fuel capacity of the successful A330-200 airliner, from which it is derived, enables the A330 MRTT to excel in Air-to-Air Refuelling missions without the need for any additional fuel tank. The A330 MRTT is offered with a choice of proven air-to-air refuelling systems including an advanced Airbus Military Aerial Refuelling Boom System, and/or a pair of under-wing hose and drogue pods, and/or a Fuselage Refuelling Unit.
Thanks to its true wide-body fuselage, the A330 MRTT can also be used as a pure transport aircraft able to carry 300 troops, or a payload of up to 45 tonnes/99,000 lb. It can also easily be converted to accommodate up to 130 stretchers for Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC). To date, a total of 28 A330 MRTTs have been ordered by four customers (Australia, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom), with Saudi Arabia having already placed a repeat order.
The delivery of the aircraft to RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland, today marks another major milestone for the A330 MRTT programme and the world’s most advanced air-to-air tanker aircraft, designated the KC-30A in Australian military service. The first two KC-30As were delivered in June.
Today’s delivery is the third of five MRTTs ordered by the RAAF. As with the first two aircraft delivered in June, this MRTT was also converted from an Airbus A330 commercial passenger jet to a military tanker/transport by Qantas Defence Services at the Australian MRTT Conversion Centre at Brisbane Airport.
With three MRTTs now in RAAF fleet service, a fourth - actually the first to be converted but at Airbus Military’s headquarters in Spain - will be handed over in Madrid in December. The fifth and final aircraft, which arrived in Brisbane for conversion some weeks ago, will be delivered next year.
All five A330 MRTTs were acquired under AIR 5402 to provide the Australian Defence Force (ADF) with what is the world’s only certified and flying new generation tanker/transport aircraft. The type has also been ordered by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom, with Saudi Arabia having already placed a repeat order.
In RAAF service, the aircraft are equipped with two underwing refuelling pods, the fly-by-wire Airbus Military Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS), and a Universal Aerial Refuelling Receptacle Slipway Installation (UARRSI) enabling it to be refuelled from another tanker. Powered by two General Electric CF6-80E engines, the aircraft are equipped with a comprehensive defensive aids suite (DAS) and fitted with 270 passenger seats.
About the A330 MRTT
Having received its supplemental type certificate from European civil certification Authority EASA in March 2010 and military certification from Spanish Authority INTA in October 2010, the Airbus Military A330 MRTT is the only new generation strategic tanker/transport aircraft flying and available today. The large 111 tonnes/ 245,000 lb basic fuel capacity of the successful A330-200 airliner, from which it is derived, enables the A330 MRTT to excel in Air-to-Air Refuelling missions without the need for any additional fuel tank. The A330 MRTT is offered with a choice of proven air-to-air refuelling systems including an advanced Airbus Military Aerial Refuelling Boom System, and/or a pair of under-wing hose and drogue pods, and/or a Fuselage Refuelling Unit.
Thanks to its true wide-body fuselage, the A330 MRTT can also be used as a pure transport aircraft able to carry 300 troops, or a payload of up to 45 tonnes/99,000 lb. It can also easily be converted to accommodate up to 130 stretchers for Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC). To date, a total of 28 A330 MRTTs have been ordered by four customers (Australia, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom), with Saudi Arabia having already placed a repeat order.
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