News Review: Third KC-30A MRTT flies | ADM Dec 2010/Jan 2011

The third of five KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker-Transports (MRTT) ordered by the RAAF made its maiden fight from Qantas Defence Services’ (QDS) facility at Brisbane airport in October.

This is the second MRTT to be converted at Brisbane for the RAAF and is now being prepared for delivery.

Following the four-hour Production Flight test the aircraft relocated to Spain to perform refuelling tests before being painted and formally handed over to the RAAF.

QDS in Brisbane will also conduct conversion of the two remaining aircraft with work on aircraft No.4 now well advanced.

The four KC-30As converted by QDS in Brisbane are the first to be converted at an industrial centre outside Airbus Military’s home base in Spain.

The first of the five aircraft was fully converted in Spain; aircraft No.2 was returned to Spain from Brisbane late last year to support the flight test and certification program.

Airbus Military Program Manager Valentin Merino said “there have been significant improvements in the conversion quality and efficiencies since the commencement of the Australian program in 2008.

“The successful collaboration with QDS illustrates Airbus Military’s capability to transfer complex industrial processes around the globe and their investment in the local Australian economy.”

Following formal military certification of the aircraft and all its refueling systems in early October the first two KC-30As were scheduled for delivery to the RAAF before the end of 2010.

However, the project has been placed on the DMO’s ‘Projects of Concern’ list thanks to the 18 month delay incurred in flight testing and certification.

Cobham refuelling pod certified as part of KC-30A

Cobham’s latest 905E under-wing Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR) pod has been certified as part of the Airbus KC-30A MRTT, which achieved military certification in October last year.

“Military certification is a major milestone in the development of the MRTT’s tanker capability,” Iain Gibson, vice president of Cobham Mission Equipment, said.

“This certification reinforces Cobham’s position as the world leader in hose and drogue refuelling systems, and reaffirms our commitment to new technology through development of this fifth-generation pod.”

Each Australian MRTT carries two 905E pods, one on each under wing station, individually capable of delivering fuel at 420 US gallons per minute.

The pods feature the latest version of Cobham’s electric hose reel drive system and digital control and monitoring system.

They are also fitted with Cobham’s new high-speed variable drag drogue, which is key to meeting the extended aerial refuelling speed range of 180 knots to 325 knots.

This enables a single tanker to support a variety of aircraft from the Boeing V-22 Osprey to the latest generation fast jets such as the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter.

The A330 MRTT with Cobham 905E pods has also been selected for the UK MoD Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) program, the Saudi Arabia Air Force and the United Arab Emirates Air Force, with a current requirement for more than 50 pods.