Article Posted on : - May 28, 2011

Airbus Military A330 MRTT

MADRIID (BNS): The first Airbus Military A330 MRTT new generation tanker/transport for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has left Madrid and will reach Australia on Monday.

Designated as KC-30A in RAAF service, the aircraft is scheduled to arrive at RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland on May 30.

On its ferry flight, the A330 MRTT is being flown by Airbus Military and RAAF crew, and will transit via McCarran (Nevada) and Hickam (Hawaii) in the USA.

The aircraft is the second converted by Qantas Defence Services in Brisbane. It will be joined by the second aircraft for the RAAF in June, and two further aircraft later in the year. The fifth and final aircraft ordered by the RAAF, which arrived in Brisbane for conversion a few days ago, will be delivered in 2012.

The arrival of the aircraft at RAAF Amberley follows an extensive development and test programme which certifies the flying new generation tanker/transport aircraft.

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.