• The A330 MRTT is fitted with the Cobham 905 system, which provides refuelling from under-wing pods.
    The A330 MRTT is fitted with the Cobham 905 system, which provides refuelling from under-wing pods.
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Airbus Military has completed all the flight tests required for the daylight certification of the new-generation hose-and-drogue refuelling system on the A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT).

This paves the way towards the formal military certification of the system from
Spain's INTA certification authority this summer.

The A330 MRTT is fitted with the Cobham 905 system, which provides refuelling from under-wing pods.

It is the most advanced hose-and-drogue refuelling system currently available.

Testing covered all of the flight envelope required to certify the aircraft handling qualities with the hose and drogue deployed, and included a wide range of manoeuvres, both in free-flight and in coupled mode with Spanish Air Force F-18 fighters.

"Following civil certification of the A330 MRTT on 17 March 2010, the completion of this flight-test phase is a further major step towards final military certification of the aircraft," Airbus Military Head of Derivatives Antonio Caramazana said.

Meanwhile, flight testing of the Airbus Military Aerial Refuelling Boom System is also progressing well and will be completed shortly.

The company is aiming for delivery of the first A330 MRTT will be to the Royal Australian Air Force later this year.

The company also announced that it would re-enter the US KC-X tanker competition without a US partner company.

EADS North America had previously teamed with Northrop Grumman but it is looking for suitable US partners.

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