A330 MRTT / KC-30A
First A-330-200 MRTT for the Royal Australian Air Force taking off for a test flight from the Getafe Air Base (Spain).
Role	Aerial refuelling and transport
Manufacturer	Airbus Military
First flight	15 June 2007
Status	In flight testing
Primary users	Royal Australian Air Force Royal Air Force United Arab Emirates Air Force Royal Saudi Air Force
Developed from	Airbus A330-200
Variants	Northrop Grumman KC-45

The Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) is an aerial refuelling tanker aircraft based on the civilian A330-200. The A330 MRTT has been ordered by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), UK's Royal Air Force (RAF), United Arab Emirates Air Force, and Royal Saudi Air Force. The Northrop Grumman KC-45 was a version of the A330 MRTT proposed for the United States Air Force.

Contents 1 Design and development 2 Operational history 2.1 Australia 2.2 United Kingdom 2.3 United States 2.4 United Arab Emirates 2.5 Saudi Arabia 2.6 India 3 Specifications 4 See also 5 References 6 External links

Design and development

The A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) is a military derivative of the Airbus A330-200 airliner. It is designed as a dual-role air-to-air refuelling and transport aircraft. For air-to-air refuelling missions the A330 MRTT can be equipped with a combination of any of the following systems:

• Airbus Military Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS) for receptacle-equipped receiver aircraft.
• Cobham 905E under-wing refuelling pods for probe-equipped receiver aircraft.
• Cobham 805E Fuselage Refuelling Unit (FRU) for probe-equipped receiver aircraft
• Universal Aerial Refuelling Receptacle System Installation (UARRSI) for self-refuelling.

The A330 MRTT has a maximum fuel capacity of 111,000 kg (245,000 lb). Standard fuel capacity allows the carriage of an additional 45,000 kg of cargo. The A330 MRTT's wing has common structure with the four-engine A340-200/-300 with reinforced mounting locations for the A340's outboard engines. The A330 MRTT's wing therefore requires little modification for use of these hardpoints for the wing refuelling pods.^[1]

The A330 MRTT cabin can be modified to carry up to 380 passengers in a single class configuration, allowing a complete range of configurations from maximised troop transport to complex customisation suitable for VIP and guest missions. The A330 MRTT can also be configured to perform Medical Evacuation (Medevac) missions, up to 130 standard stretchers can be carried. The main deck cargo configuration allows carriage of standard commercial containers and pallets through military, ISO and NATO pallets (including seats) and containers, to military equipment and other large items which are loaded through a cargo door. Like the A330-200, the A330 MRTT includes two lower deck cargo compartments (forward and aft) and a bulk area capability. The cargo hold has been modified to be able to transport up to 8 military pallets in addition to civilian ULD.

An optional Crew Rest Compartment (CRC), located in the forward cabin can be installed for a spare crew in order to increase time available for a mission. The passenger cabin of the A330 MRTT can be provided with a set of removable airstairs to enable the crew and passengers to enter and leave the aircraft when airbridges or ground support equipment are not available.

Standard commercial A330-200s are delivered from Airbus Final Assembly Line in Toulouse (France) to Airbus Military Conversion Centre in Getafe (Spain) for fitting of refuelling systems and military avionics. The first delivery to the launch customer, Australia is planned for mid-2010. Qantas Defence Services is converting the remaining four A330-200s at its Brisbane Airport facility on behalf of EADS for the RAAF.^[2]

Operational history

The A330 MRTT has been ordered by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), UK's Royal Air Force (RAF), United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.

Australia

The RAAF's five aircraft will be equipped with both an Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS) and two Cobham 905E under-wing refuelling pods. Australia was initially to procure four aircraft with an option to obtain a fifth, however the RAAF has since decided to go ahead with the procurement of the fifth aircraft to allow for two simultaneous deployments of two aircraft, with the fifth providing contingency cover. All of Australia's Airbus A330 MRTT aircraft will be operated by No. 33 Squadron RAAF based at RAAF Base Amberley from 2009 on.^[3] The Australian aircraft are designated KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transports.^[4]

United Kingdom

In January 2004, the UK Ministry of Defence announced that a variant of the A330 MRTT had been selected to provide tanking service for the RAF for the next 30 years under the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) programme.

The UK Ministry of Defence then began exclusive negotiations with the AirTanker consortium. However, beginning in April 2004, there were rumours on the fragile state of the contract negotiations. This culminated in an ultimatum by the UK's Defence Procurement Agency, delivered to EADS, demanding a reduced price for the aircraft.

In June 2007, The UK Ministry of Defense gave the green light to a private finance initiative deal worth about £13 billion ($26 billion) to equip the UK Royal Air Force with 14 A330 MRTT tankers, which will begin to replace the Royal Air Force's existing L-1011 and VC10 tankers from 2011 - two years later than originally planned. The RAF aircraft will operate solely with the probe and drogue (also used with Airbus A310 MRTT).

On 27 March 2008, the UK Ministry of Defense signed a deal to lease 14 aircraft from EADS-led consortium AirTanker, with the first aircraft due to enter service in 2011.^[5] All of the RAF aircraft will be fitted with two Cobham 905E under-wing refuelling pods and 7 will be capable of being fitted with one Cobham 805E Fuselage Refuelling Unit (FRU).

United States

The U.S. Air Force (USAF) ran a procurement program to replace around 100 of their oldest KC-135E Stratotankers, i.e., initially excluding the more common updated KC-135R variant. EADS offered the A330 MRTT. The Boeing KC-767 was selected in 2002,^[6] but the USAF cancelled the KC-767 order when the deal became embroiled in a political controversy due to the nature of the lease agreement.^[7]

In 2006, the USAF released a request for proposal (RFP) for a new tanker aircraft, to be selected by 2007, which was updated in January 2007, to the KC-X RFP, one of three acquisition programs that are intended to replace the entire KC-135 fleet.^[8] The Airbus A330 MRTT was proposed again by EADS and Northrop Grumman as the KC-30. It again competed against the Boeing KC-767, which is a smaller aircraft (holds about 20 percent less fuel), less cargo, but is also cheaper.

The Air Force announced on February 29, 2008, that the KC-30 was chosen as the KC-135 replacement, and will be designated the KC-45A.^[9][10]

On June 18, 2008, the United States Government Accountability Office sustained a protest by The Boeing Company on the award of the contract to Northrop Grumman and EADS.^[11] The status of the KC-45A is in doubt and the Air Force may have to rebid the contract, potentially reversing their earlier decision.^[12]

On 10 September 2008, bidding was canceled. A new competition between the KC-45 and KC-767 (or possibly the KC-777, a Boeing 777 derivative which had been considered previously) will be opened sometime in 2009.^[13]

United Arab Emirates

In 2007, the United Arab Emirates announced it had signed a memorandum of understanding with Airbus to purchase three A330 MRTT.^[14] The order was confirmed by EADS (the parent company of Airbus) in February 2008.^[15] The UAE aircraft will be equipped with both an Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS) and two Cobham 905E under-wing refuelling pods.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia finalized an agreement to purchase three A330 MRTT equipped with both an Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS) and two Cobham 905E under-wing refuelling pods, on 3 January 2008.^[16][17] In July 2009 it was released that Saudi Arabia ordered three additional A330 MRTT tankers.^[18]

India

The Il-78 and Airbus 330 MRTT were competing for the $1 billion global tender floated in 2006 by the Indian defence ministry for six refuellers to extend the operating radius of Indian fighter jets. In May 2009, India finally chose the Airbus A330 MRTT over the Il-78.^[19] However in January 2010, the government cancelled the order citing high cost as the reason,^[20] reportedly against the wishes of the Air Force.^[21]

Specifications

General characteristics

• Crew: 3: 2 pilots, 1 AAR operator
• Capacity: 380 passengers and 8 military pallets + 1LD6 container + 1 LD3 container (lower deck cargo compartments)
• Length: 58.80 m (193 ft)
• Wingspan: 60.3 m (198 ft)
• Height: 17.4 m (5857 ft)
• Wing area: 362 m² (3900 ft²)
• Empty weight: 125,000 kg (275,600 lb)
• Useful load: 45,000 kg (99,000 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 233,000 kg (514,000 lb)
• Powerplant: 2× Rolls-Royce Trent 772B or General Electric CF6-80E1A4 or Pratt&Whitney PW 4168A turbofans, 320 kN (72,000 lbf) 320 kN each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 880 km/h (475 knots, 547 mph)
• Cruise speed: 860 km/h (464 knots, 534 mph)
• Range: 14,800 km (8,000 nm, 9,200 mi)
• Service ceiling: 12,600 m (41,500 ft)

See also

• Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft
• KC-X
  

Related development

• Airbus A330
• Airbus A310 MRTT
• Northrop Grumman KC-45
  

Comparable aircraft

• KC-135 Stratotanker
• Boeing KC-767
  

Related lists

• List of tanker aircraft
  

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Airbus A330 MRTT

• Official KC-30 Tanker website
• Airtanker Consortium
• Rivals eye Boeing's US airforce deal, by Jorn Madslien, BBC News
• RAAF: New tankers to take on many roles

v • d • e Airbus aircraft Civil A300 · A300 Beluga · A310  · A320 family (A318, A319, A320, A321)  · A330  · A340  · A380 Military A310 MRTT · A330 MRTT · A400M In development/ proposed A350 · NSR · KC-45 Other supported types Sud Aviation Caravelle · Aérospatiale-BAC Concorde · BAC One-Eleven

v • d • e Lists relating to aviation General Timeline of aviation · Aircraft (manufacturers) · Aircraft engines (manufacturers) · Rotorcraft (manufacturers) · Airports · Airlines (defunct) · Civil authorities · Museums Military Air forces · Aircraft weapons · Missiles · Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) · Experimental aircraft Accidents/incidents General · Military · Commercial (airliners) · Deaths Records Airspeed · Distance · Altitude · Endurance · Most-produced aircraft