Article Posted on : - Oct 07, 2010

A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport. Photo by Airbus Military

MADRID (BNS): Airbus Military plans to deliver two Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) before the end of the year.

The first aircraft will be delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in the coming weeks, an Airbus Military statement said.

The company recently obtained certification for the A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport from Spanish military certification authority Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Aerospacial (INTA).

This approval follows the civil Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the conversion from the basic passenger A330-200 awarded by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) earlier in the year.

The aircraft, equipped with two underwing hose-and-drogue refuelling pods and the Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS), will be operated by 33 Squadron at RAAF Amberley. They can also carry 270 passengers in a two-class configuration.

The A330 MRTT can carry out Air-to-Air Refuelling missions without the need for any additional fuel tank. It can also be used as a pure transport aircraft able to carry up to 300 troops, or a payload of up to 45 tonnes and can also accommodate up to 130 stretchers for Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC).

Other nations like Australia, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom have ordered a total of 28 A330 MRTTs.