A 330 MRTT ( KC-45A )

Airbus Military successfully concludes A330 MRTT boom flutter testing
As part of the final stages of the A330 MRTT flight test campaign, the boom flut-ter testing has been completed.
Several flights were performed for the Flutter Vibration Test, including for the aero elastic
characterization of the boom. The main objective of the testing is to check boom
and aircraft behaviour by inducting vibrations on the boom rudderva-tors. The boom has been tested in several configurations and conditions, includ-ing with the boom fully deployed, at several heights and speeds up to Mach .92
Since commencement of the second flight test phase in December 2008, Airbus Military has performed a range of testing. They included tanker and receiver flight control laws validation, underwing pod testing, boom data gathering and enve-lope expansion, as well as MIDS, Link 16 and military avionics and mission test-ing. A total of 107 flights were logged.
The A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT), a military derivative of the suc-cessful A330-200 commercial airplane, was selected by Australia, UK, UAE, Saudi Arabia and the USA.
Airbus is an EADS company.
Source : AIRBUS

alain57 a écrit: India to buy Airbus MRTT tanker in a $1 billion deal

http://www.defpro.com/news/details/7643/

08:57 GMT, May 26, 2009 The Indian Air Force has decided to buy the Airbus A330 multi-role tanker
transport (MRTT) instead of the Russian built Ilyushin-78 air-to-air tanker, the Hindustan Times reported yesterday. The IAF Air Chief Marshal, Major Fali Homi said in an interview that......European A330 MRTT has been selected as the future tanker of the Air Force. Fali Homi also said that a deal is expected to come up for final approval by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) very soon.

alain57 a écrit: The first A330 MRTT may be delivered to the IAF within three years after signing the deal, while the remaining five would be inducted 15 months after that.....
The A330 MRTT has won several tanker competitions with contracts signed by the governments of
United Kingdom, Australia, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Airbus has performed the maiden flight of the first Trent 700-powered A330-200 being built to deliver the UK's Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft capability from 2011.
Performed at the company's Toulouse site on 4 June, the milestone will be followed by the aircraft's delivery to Airbus Military's Getafe plant near Madrid for "militarisation and tanker conversion" activities, says EADS UK-led AirTanker.

Airbus Military bullish on A330 MRTT sales prospects
By Andrew Doyle

Airbus Military is targeting sales of up to 50 more A330-based multi-role tanker transports (MRTT) outside the USA, as it prepares to step up flight-testing of the first aircraft for the Royal Australian Air Force.

A draft request for proposals for the latest iteration of the US Air Force's long-standing KC-X requirement, covering at least 100 aircraft, is also expected soon.

Sales of the A330 MRTT stand at 28 - for Australia (five), Saudi Arabia (six), the United Arab Emirates (three) and the UK (14).

"In terms of potential market, there are probably 40 or 50 tanker sales still to go around the world," says Airbus Military vice-president defence capability marketing, Peter Scoffham.

"We're in discussions with South Korea, Singapore, India [and nations in] the Middle East and North Africa. That doesn't mean we're going to get contracts, but obviously those nations want to know what is available."

Scoffham also lists Brazil and France as prospects, and the UAE is looking at a follow-on order.

The MRTT is being offered with the option of a forward main deck cargo door. This was a feature included in the previous Northrop Grumman/EADS North America A330-based KC-X offer selected by the USAF but subsequently overturned after an appeal by Boeing. The door has drawn interest from Australia, Brazil and France, says Airbus Military head of derivative programmes, Miguel Morell.

Morell does not expect stiff competition outside the USA from Boeing with its KC-767A. "We are going to get all the market," he claims. "We don't have competition today, to be honest."

Military certification of the A330 MRTT is targeted for April following up to 120 test flights, of which 57 have been completed. Handover of the first aircraft to the RAAF, following conversion in Madrid, is due in mid-2010. Australia's remaining aircraft are being converted in Brisbane.

The first MRTT for Saudi Arabia will be converted at EADS's Getafe site near Madrid, and the rest in Riyadh or Jeddah. All three UAE aircraft will be modified in Spain. The first two UK aircraft are being worked on in Getafe, with the remaining 12 to be converted in Bournemouth, southern England.

For KC-X, the USAF's requirements will dictate whether the Northrop/EADS bid will be baselined on the passenger or freighter version of the A330-200. "It could be passenger aircraft, freighters or [a combi version]," says Morell.

EADS Advanced Refueling Boom Transfers Fuel From Australian A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport to F-16 Fighter
Milestone Validates Key Technological Advantage of Northrop Grumman's KC-45 Tanker for U.S. Air Force

An F-16 receiver aircraft moves into position then receives fuel from the advanced Aerial Refueling Boom System (ARBS) aboard the A330 MRTT. The ARBS is identical to that on the Northrop Grumman KC-45 offering for the US Air Force.
An F-16 receiver aircraft moves into position then receives fuel from the advanced Aerial Refueling Boom System (ARBS) aboard the A330 MRTT. The ARBS is identical to that on the Northrop Grumman KC-45 offering for the US Air Force. Highlighted Links


EADS North AmericaARLINGTON, VA--(Marketwire - October 22, 2009) - The EADS A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) -- currently in production for four allied nations -- marked another major performance milestone with the first in-flight refueling performed from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) A330 MRTT utilizing its integrated Aerial Refueling Boom System (ARBS).

The contacts and subsequent fuel transfers were made with two F-16 receiver aircraft and validated the advanced ARBS handling qualities, precision, and stability on the A330 MRTT, as well as the capabilities of its 3-D vision system. The flight lasted four hours and 30 minutes, with more than 3,300 pounds of fuel transferred during 13 contacts.

EADS' fly-by-wire ARBS is one of the key technological discriminators for the A330 MRTT and Northrop Grumman's KC-45 offering to the U.S. Air Force, providing the only digital, all-electric fly-by-wire refueling system available today.

The ARBS has already made more than 250 wet and dry contacts with a wide range of receiver aircraft, in a full range of operating conditions and throughout the flight envelope, while the boom was deployed on an EADS test-bed aircraft.

"This significant milestone demonstrates the maturity of the world's most modern aerial refueling boom system as integrated on the only next-generation tanker aircraft in production today," said Ralph D. Crosby, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of EADS North America. "The A330 MRTT is one important step closer to service introduction with a key allied military service, the Royal Australian Air Force."

"The ARBS was just as smooth and easy to control during these contacts as it has been in all our prior work with it," said Don Cash, boom operator for the A330 MRTT test flight. "The precision of the system makes the boom feel just like an extension of my arm."

Cash is a retired U.S. Air Force boom operator with more than 20 years' experience aboard the KC-135 and KC-10, and has been on the ARBS design team for five years. "I've had the needs of the warfighter in mind from the beginning, and we've arrived at a system that offers them a level of performance and reliability unmatched by any system available in the world today and for the foreseeable future."

The RAAF's A330 MRTT is similar in configuration to Northrop Grumman's KC-45 Tanker offered for the U.S. Air Force to recapitalize its aging aerial refueling fleet. Both aircraft are equipped with the EADS ARBS, plus a pair of all-digital Cobham 905E refueling pods under the wings. This mix of boom and pod refueling technologies ensures the A330 MRTT and KC-45 can transfer fuel to all types of receiver aircraft during a single mission without reconfiguration. The KC-45 also offers a centerline hose-and-drogue fuselage refueling unit.

The boom's maximum nominal fuel flow rate is 1,200 U.S. gallons per minute, while the pods can deliver up to 420 gallons of fuel per minute. Aerial refueling operations are controlled from a state-of-the-art Remote Aerial Refueling Operator console in the cockpit behind the pilots, incorporating the enhanced vision system with laser infrared lighting and high-definition digital stereoscopic viewing.

"I have situational awareness and a field of view that far exceed anything I ever had during my Air Force career," Cash said, "with crystal-clear visuals night or day."

EADS North America is a principal teammate on Northrop Grumman's KC-45 Tanker program, and is responsible for delivering the aircraft platform, which will be produced at a new aerospace center of excellence to be built in Mobile, Ala.

Airbus Military, an EADS company, is responsible for the design and production of the A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport for international customers, which today includes Australia, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Orders from those countries total 28 aircraft. The A330 MRTT has won all of the international competitions for new-generation aerial tankers since 2004.

The RAAF will receive its first of five A330 MRTTs in 2010, two of which have completed conversion and currently are in flight test. Upon delivery to the RAAF, they will be designated the KC-30A.

About EADS North America (www.eadsnorthamerica.com)

EADS North America is the North American operation of EADS, a global leader in aerospace, defense and related services. As a leader in all sectors of defense and homeland security, EADS North America and its parent company, EADS, contribute over $11 billion to the U.S. economy annually and support more than 200,000 American jobs through its network of suppliers and services. Operating in 17 states, EADS North America offers a broad array of advanced solutions to its customers in the commercial, homeland security, aerospace and defense markets.

A330-based tanker passes fuel through boom at night


An Australian A330-based tanker performs a night refueling of an F-16 aircraft (EADS photo)Hot on the heels of passing fuel through its boom to a receiver aircraft for the first time, an Airbus Military A330-based tanker has refueled two jets at night, the company announced Monday.

The Royal Australian Air Force Multi-Role Tanker Transport transferred more than 3,300 pounds of fuel to two F-16 fighters during a multi-contact mission, Airbus said.

"Night refueling is one of the most challenging missions for our warfighters, and the A330 MRTT has once again demonstrated its superior capabilities as the only next-generation tanker aircraft in production today," Ralph Crosby, Jr., chairman of EADS North America, said in a news release. "Completion of this significant milestone reinforces the fact that the A330 MRTT is able to meet the most demanding U.S. Air Force requirements."

The Northrop Grumman-EADS KC-45 tanker proposed for the U.S. Air Force is based on the A330 MRTT.

Dubai 09: PICTURES - Airbus Military runs A400M engines
By Andrew Doyle



The European manufacturer has meanwhile revealed that Riyadh is the favoured location for the in-country modification of five of the six A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transports ordered by Saudi Arabia.



The first "green" Airbus Military A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport for Saudi Arabia has been delivered to the manufacturer's Madrid, Spain conversion centre.

It arrived in Madrid from Airbus's Toulouse assembly line on 10 November, and the modified aircraft is due to be handed over to the Royal Saudi Air Force in 2011.

The additional five aircraft ordered by Saudi Arabia will be converted in Riyadh in partnership with a yet-to-be-selected local partner. Jeddah had been under consideration as the location for the in-country modification centre.

All three A330 MRTTs ordered by UAE will be converted in Madrid, with the first aircraft due to arrive from Toulouse in January 2010. These aircraft will also be delivered from 2011.

Airbus tanker simultaneously refuels two fighters


An A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport simultaneously refuels two F/A-18 fighters via its all-digital hose-and-drogue refueling pods on each wing (Airbus photo)
Airbus' A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport has performed the first simultaneous refueling of two fighters with its all-digital hose-and-drogue system, the company announced Monday.

The Royal Australian Air Force tanker used its left and right under-wing pods to transfer more than 25,000 pounds of fuel to two NATO F/A-18 fighters during 11 simultaneous airborne refueling contacts on Nov. 18, Airbus said.

"Operational flexibility and demonstrated robust mission capability are essential requirements for a military refueling aircraft," EADS North America Chairman Ralph Crosby, Jr., said in a statement. "This latest program success is further evidence that the A330 MRTT is ready to meet the demanding operational requirements of next-generation military tankers, including those of the U.S. Air Force as part of the Northrop Grumman KC-45 team."

The Australian tanker has previously transferred fuel during the daytime and at night using its boom and to one aircraft at a time through its hose-and-drogue system, Airbus noted. "(B)oth refueling systems on the A330 MRTT have now been demonstrated through flight tests, confirming the aircraft's maturity in preparation for the startup of deliveries to international customers beginning in 2010."

The Australian tanker "is nearly identical in configuration" to the tanker a Northrop Grumman-EADS team is offering to the U.S. Air Force, Airbus noted. It said the first of the five tankers Australia has ordered will be delivered in mid-2010.