The second Airbus Military A330 MRTT new generation tanker/transport has been formally delivered to the Australian Defence Materiel Organisation at the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) base RAAF Amberley, Queensland, Australia.
The aircraft, designated the KC-30A in RAAF service, was ferried from Madrid following its conversion by Qantas Defence Services (QDS) and Airbus Military and arrived on Saturday 18th June. Formal handover of the aircraft took place on 22nd June and follows the delivery of the first aircraft on 1st June.
The third aircraft is under conversion in Brisbane by QDS and will be delivered later this year. The fourth aircraft to be delivered is under refurbishment in Madrid, following completion of developmental, certification and qualification testing and will be delivered to the DMO by the end of the year. The fifth and final aircraft for the RAAF, also converted by QDS, will be delivered in 2012 and the fleet will serve with 33 Squadron RAAF.
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| Airbus Military A330 MRTT, designated the KC-30A in RAAF service |
In RAAF service, the A330 MRTT will be 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. It is powered by two General Electric CF6-80E engines, has an optimized cabin layout of 270 seats, crew rest compartment and integral airstairs, and underfloor cargo hold for both military pallets and civil cargo containers.
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, 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.