News Review: KC-30A military certification clears the way for RAAF delivery | ADM Nov 2010
The A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) achieved military certification from Spanish military certification authority Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Aerospacial (INTA) on 5 October.
This paves the way for first delivery of the aircraft, designated the KC-30A, to the RAAF within a few weeks of the milestone.
The A330 MRTT is now the only certified new-generation tanker and transport being offered to the world’s air forces.
It is expected to achieve Initial Operational Capability (IOC) in Australia late next year.
The military type certificate covers the design and operation of all the military systems added to the aircraft in addition to the basic civil design, and especially the hose and drogue, as well as the all-new Airbus Military designed Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS).
It follows the civil Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the conversion from the MRTT’s baseline A330-200 awarded by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) earlier in the year.
Airbus Military Managing Director Domingo Ureña said: “This confirms the A330 MRTT has satisfactorily demonstrated its global military airworthiness and the maturity of all its systems, and its full readiness to enter service with its customers.
The combination of the proven A330 airframe with the most advanced, and now certified, refuelling systems in the world, including our ARBS, will transform the conduct of aerial refuelling operations, while also providing full transport capability.”
Airbus Military conducted more than 280 KC-30A test flights and nearly 170 more on an A310 demonstrator to obtain the certification, and performed nearly 1,600 wet and dry contacts with receiver aircraft. Additionally more than 600 contacts were made with the A330 MRTT acting as receiver.
Over one million pounds (450 tonnes) of fuel were transferred.
Aircraft to which the A330 MRTT has now transferred fuel include F-16 and F-18 fighters, the E-3 AWACS with its large radome, and another A330 MRTT in a process known as buddy-buddy refuelling.
Airbus Military will deliver two MRTTs to the RAAF before the end of the year.
33 Squadron at RAAF Amberley will operate the aircraft, equipped with two underwing hose-and-drogue refuelling pods and the Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS).
They can also carry 270 passengers in a two-class configuration.
Three weeks earlier, the first A330-200 Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) for the RAF made its maiden flight at Getafe.
A total of 28 A330 MRTTs have been ordered by the Air forces of Australia, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and the UK.