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The Air Force announced on February 29, 2008, that the KC-30 was chosen as the KC-135 replacement, and will be designated the [[Northrop Grumman KC-45|KC-45A]].<ref>[http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/353250_tanker01.html?source=mypi At Boeing, shock - and then anger]</ref><ref>Butler, Amy, Fulghum, Davis A and Wall, Robert. [http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story.jsp?id=news/aw03038p1.xml&headline=Northrop/EADS%20Clinches%20U.S.%20Refueler%20Deal&channel=awst "Northrop/EADS Clinches U.S. Refueler Deal"]. ''Aviation Week'', February 29, 2008.</ref>
The Air Force announced on February 29, 2008, that the KC-30 was chosen as the KC-135 replacement, and will be designated the [[Northrop Grumman KC-45|KC-45A]].<ref>[http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/353250_tanker01.html?source=mypi At Boeing, shock - and then anger]</ref><ref>Butler, Amy, Fulghum, Davis A and Wall, Robert. [http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story.jsp?id=news/aw03038p1.xml&headline=Northrop/EADS%20Clinches%20U.S.%20Refueler%20Deal&channel=awst "Northrop/EADS Clinches U.S. Refueler Deal"]. ''Aviation Week'', February 29, 2008.</ref>


On June 18, 2008, the United States [[Government Accountability Office]] sustained a protest by The Boeing Company on the award of the contract to Northrop Grumman and EADS.<ref name=GAOdecision>{{cite web |url=http://www.king5.com/sharedcontent/northwest/pdf/gao_boeing.pdf |title=Statement Regarding the Bid Protest Decision Resolving the Aerial Refueling Tanker Protest by the Boeing Company |publisher=[[Government Accountability Office]] |date=2008-06-18 |accessdate=2008-06-18}}</ref> The status of the KC-45A is in doubt and the Air Force may have to rebid the contract, potentially reversing their earlier decision.<ref name=King5>{{cite web |url=http://www.king5.com/topstories/stories/NW_061808BUB_boeing_gao_air_tanker_contract_JM.161e241b.html |title=GAO backs Boeing tanker protest |publisher=[[King 5]] News |date=2008-06-18 |accessdate=2008-06-18}}</ref>
On June 18, 2008, the United States [[Government Accountability Office]] sustained a protest by The Boeing Company on the award of the contract to Northrop Grumman and EADS.<ref name=GAOdecision>{{cite web |url=http://www.king5.com/sharedcontent/northwest/pdf/gao_boeing.pdf |title=Statement Regarding the Bid Protest Decision Resolving the Aerial Refueling Tanker Protest by the Boeing Company |publisher=[[Government Accountability Office]] |date=2008-06-18 |accessdate=2008-06-18}}</ref> This left the status of the KC-45A in doubt, requiring the Air Force to have to rebid the contract.<ref name=King5>{{cite web |url=http://www.king5.com/topstories/stories/NW_061808BUB_boeing_gao_air_tanker_contract_JM.161e241b.html |title=GAO backs Boeing tanker protest |publisher=[[King 5]] News |date=2008-06-18 |accessdate=2008-06-18}}</ref>


On 24 September 2009, the USAF began the first steps in the new round of bids, with a clearer set of criteria.<ref name=wsj>[http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125383323357539115.html Air Force Resumes Tanker Contest]</ref> On March 8, 2010, Northrop Grumman withdrew from the bidding process (leaving the KC-767 as the current sole contender), asserting that the new criteria were skewed in favor of Boeing's offering.<ref>[http://www.irconnect.com/noc/press/pages/news_printer.html?d=186116&print=1 "Statement From Northrop Grumman on U.S. Air Force Aerial Refueling Tanker Program"]. Northrop Grumman press release, 8 March 2010.</ref><ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/03/08/339205/northrop-grumman-declines-to-bid-on-latest-kc-x-rfp.html Northrop Grumman declines to bid on latest KC-X RFP]</ref><ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/09/business/09tanker.html?hpw Northrop to Drop Bid for Tanker]</ref>
On 10 September 2008, bidding was canceled. A new competition between the KC-45 and KC-767 (or possibly the [[Boeing 777#777 Tanker (KC-777)|KC-777]], a Boeing 777 derivative which had been considered previously) will be opened sometime in 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,420143,00.html |title=Pentagon Postpones $35B Air Force Tanker Competition Until 2009 |publisher=[[Fox News Channel]] |date=2008-09-10 |accessdate=2008-09-14}}</ref>


===United Arab Emirates===
===United Arab Emirates===

Revision as of 13:02, 9 March 2010

A330 MRTT / KC-30A
First A-330-200 MRTT for the Royal Australian Air Force taking off for a test flight from the Getafe Air Base (Spain).
Role Aerial refuelling and transport
Manufacturer Airbus Military
First flight 15 June 2007
Status In flight testing
Primary users Royal Australian Air Force
Royal Air Force
United Arab Emirates Air Force
Royal Saudi Air Force
Developed from Airbus A330-200
Variants Northrop Grumman KC-45

The Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) is an aerial refuelling tanker aircraft based on the civilian A330-200. The A330 MRTT has been ordered by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), UK's Royal Air Force (RAF), United Arab Emirates Air Force, and Royal Saudi Air Force. The Northrop Grumman KC-45 was a version of the A330 MRTT proposed for the United States Air Force.

Design and development

The A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) is a military derivative of the Airbus A330-200 airliner. It is designed as a dual-role air-to-air refuelling and transport aircraft. For air-to-air refuelling missions the A330 MRTT can be equipped with a combination of any of the following systems:

  • Airbus Military Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS) for receptacle-equipped receiver aircraft.
  • Cobham 905E under-wing refuelling pods for probe-equipped receiver aircraft.
  • Cobham 805E Fuselage Refuelling Unit (FRU) for probe-equipped receiver aircraft
  • Universal Aerial Refuelling Receptacle System Installation (UARRSI) for self-refuelling.

The A330 MRTT has a maximum fuel capacity of 111,000 kg (245,000 lb). Standard fuel capacity allows the carriage of an additional 45,000 kg of cargo. The A330 MRTT's wing has common structure with the four-engine A340-200/-300 with reinforced mounting locations for the A340's outboard engines. The A330 MRTT's wing therefore requires little modification for use of these hardpoints for the wing refuelling pods.[1]

The A330 MRTT cabin can be modified to carry up to 380 passengers in a single class configuration, allowing a complete range of configurations from maximised troop transport to complex customisation suitable for VIP and guest missions. The A330 MRTT can also be configured to perform Medical Evacuation (Medevac) missions, up to 130 standard stretchers can be carried. The main deck cargo configuration allows carriage of standard commercial containers and pallets through military, ISO and NATO pallets (including seats) and containers, to military equipment and other large items which are loaded through a cargo door. Like the A330-200, the A330 MRTT includes two lower deck cargo compartments (forward and aft) and a bulk area capability. The cargo hold has been modified to be able to transport up to 8 military pallets in addition to civilian ULD.

An optional Crew Rest Compartment (CRC), located in the forward cabin can be installed for a spare crew in order to increase time available for a mission. The passenger cabin of the A330 MRTT can be provided with a set of removable airstairs to enable the crew and passengers to enter and leave the aircraft when airbridges or ground support equipment are not available.

Standard commercial A330-200s are delivered from Airbus Final Assembly Line in Toulouse (France) to Airbus Military Conversion Centre in Getafe (Spain) for fitting of refuelling systems and military avionics. The first delivery to the launch customer, Australia is planned for mid-2010. Qantas Defence Services is converting the remaining four A330-200s at its Brisbane Airport facility on behalf of EADS for the RAAF.[2]

Operational history

The A330 MRTT has been ordered by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), UK's Royal Air Force (RAF), United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.

Australia

The RAAF's five aircraft will be equipped with both an Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS) and two Cobham 905E under-wing refuelling pods. Australia was initially to procure four aircraft with an option to obtain a fifth, however the RAAF has since decided to go ahead with the procurement of the fifth aircraft to allow for two simultaneous deployments of two aircraft, with the fifth providing contingency cover. All of Australia's Airbus A330 MRTT aircraft will be operated by No. 33 Squadron RAAF based at RAAF Base Amberley from 2009 on.[3] The Australian aircraft are designated KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transports.[4]

United Kingdom

Main article: Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft

In January 2004, the UK Ministry of Defence announced that a variant of the A330 MRTT had been selected to provide tanking service for the RAF for the next 30 years under the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) programme.

The UK Ministry of Defence then began exclusive negotiations with the AirTanker consortium. However, beginning in April 2004, there were rumours on the fragile state of the contract negotiations. This culminated in an ultimatum by the UK's Defence Procurement Agency, delivered to EADS, demanding a reduced price for the aircraft.

In June 2007, The UK Ministry of Defense gave the green light to a private finance initiative deal worth about £13 billion ($26 billion) to equip the UK Royal Air Force with 14 A330 MRTT tankers, which will begin to replace the Royal Air Force's existing L-1011 and VC10 tankers from 2011 - two years later than originally planned. The RAF aircraft will operate solely with the probe and drogue (also used with Airbus A310 MRTT).

On 27 March 2008, the UK Ministry of Defense signed a deal to lease 14 aircraft from EADS-led consortium AirTanker, with the first aircraft due to enter service in 2011.[5] All of the RAF aircraft will be fitted with two Cobham 905E under-wing refuelling pods and 7 will be capable of being fitted with one Cobham 805E Fuselage Refuelling Unit (FRU).

United States

Main articles: KC-X and Northrop Grumman KC-45

The U.S. Air Force (USAF) ran a procurement program to replace around 100 of their oldest KC-135E Stratotankers, i.e., initially excluding the more common updated KC-135R variant. EADS offered the A330 MRTT. The Boeing KC-767 was selected in 2002,[6] but the USAF cancelled the KC-767 order when the deal became embroiled in a political controversy due to the nature of the lease agreement.[7]

In 2006, the USAF released a request for proposal (RFP) for a new tanker aircraft, to be selected by 2007, which was updated in January 2007, to the KC-X RFP, one of three acquisition programs that are intended to replace the entire KC-135 fleet.[8] The Airbus A330 MRTT was proposed again by EADS and Northrop Grumman as the KC-30. It again competed against the Boeing KC-767, which is a smaller aircraft (holds about 20 percent less fuel), less cargo, but is also cheaper.

The Air Force announced on February 29, 2008, that the KC-30 was chosen as the KC-135 replacement, and will be designated the KC-45A.[9][10]

On June 18, 2008, the United States Government Accountability Office sustained a protest by The Boeing Company on the award of the contract to Northrop Grumman and EADS.[11] This left the status of the KC-45A in doubt, requiring the Air Force to have to rebid the contract.[12]

On 24 September 2009, the USAF began the first steps in the new round of bids, with a clearer set of criteria.[13] On March 8, 2010, Northrop Grumman withdrew from the bidding process (leaving the KC-767 as the current sole contender), asserting that the new criteria were skewed in favor of Boeing's offering.[14][15][16]

United Arab Emirates

In 2007, the United Arab Emirates announced it had signed a memorandum of understanding with Airbus to purchase three A330 MRTT.[17] EADS, Airbus's parent company, announced the signing of a contract with UAE in February 2008.[18] The UAE aircraft will be equipped with both an Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS) and two Cobham 905E under-wing refuelling pods.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia finalized an agreement to purchase three A330 MRTT equipped with both an Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS) and two Cobham 905E under-wing refuelling pods, on 3 January 2008.[19][20] In July 2009 it was released that Saudi Arabia ordered three additional A330 MRTT tankers.[21]

India

The Il-78 and Airbus 330 MRTT were competing for the $1 billion global tender floated in 2006 by the Indian defence ministry for six refuellers to extend the operating radius of Indian fighter jets. In May 2009, India finally chose the Airbus A330 MRTT over the Il-78.[22] However in January 2010, the government cancelled the order citing high cost as the reason,[23] reportedly against the wishes of the Air Force.[24]

Operators

 Australia
 United Kingdom
 United Arab Emirates
 Saudi Arabia

Specifications

General characteristics

  • Crew: 3: 2 pilots, 1 AAR operator
  • Capacity: 380 passengers and 8 military pallets + 1LD6 container + 1 LD3 container (lower deck cargo compartments)
  • Length: 58.80 m (193 ft)
  • Wingspan: 60.3 m (198 ft)
  • Height: 17.4 m (5857 ft)
  • Wing area: 362 m² (3900 ft²)
  • Empty weight: 125,000 kg (275,600 lb)
  • Useful load: 45,000 kg (99,000 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 233,000 kg (514,000 lb)
  • Powerplant: 2× Rolls-Royce Trent 772B or General Electric CF6-80E1A4 or Pratt & Whitney PW 4168A turbofans, 320 kN (72,000 lbf) 320 kN each

Performance

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

  1. ^ A330-200 Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) - Multi-Role Tanker Transporter (MRTT), Europe. Airforce-technology.com.
  2. ^ "Qantas receives second A330 for Australia's KC-30 tanker conversion". Flight International, 25 June 2009.
  3. ^ "KC-30B Multi-Role Tanker Final Testing". www.silobreaker.com.
  4. ^ "KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport". Royal Australian Air Force.
  5. ^ "EADS wins £13bn RAF tanker deal". BBC News. 2008-03-27. Retrieved 2010-01-01.
  6. ^ "Boeing Given Nod on Tanker Lease". Military-Aerospace Technology Magazine; volume: 1, issue: 2, 1 May 2002 (archive link).
  7. ^ Cahlink, George (2004-10-01). "Ex-Pentagon procurement executive gets jail time". http://www.govexec.com. {{cite news}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  8. ^ "Air Force Posts KC-X Request for Proposals". Release Number: 070107. United States Air Force. 2007-01-30.
  9. ^ At Boeing, shock - and then anger
  10. ^ Butler, Amy, Fulghum, Davis A and Wall, Robert. "Northrop/EADS Clinches U.S. Refueler Deal". Aviation Week, February 29, 2008.
  11. ^ "Statement Regarding the Bid Protest Decision Resolving the Aerial Refueling Tanker Protest by the Boeing Company" (PDF). Government Accountability Office. 2008-06-18. Retrieved 2008-06-18.
  12. ^ "GAO backs Boeing tanker protest". King 5 News. 2008-06-18. Retrieved 2008-06-18.
  13. ^ Air Force Resumes Tanker Contest
  14. ^ "Statement From Northrop Grumman on U.S. Air Force Aerial Refueling Tanker Program". Northrop Grumman press release, 8 March 2010.
  15. ^ Northrop Grumman declines to bid on latest KC-X RFP
  16. ^ Northrop to Drop Bid for Tanker
  17. ^ "UAE to buy 3 Airbus refuelling aircraft". Khaleej Times Online. Abu Dhabi: Khaleej Times. 2007-02-20. Retrieved 2009-04-02. The United Arab Emirates Air Force will buy three military Airbus A330 refuelling aircraft rather than rival Boeing's 767 plane, a UAE military spokesman said yesterday.
  18. ^ "United Arab Emirates orders the A330 MRTT air to air refuelling aircraft from EADS". EADS website. Madrid: EADS N.V. 2008-02-25. Retrieved 2009-04-02. United Arab Emirates has announced today the purchase from EADS, through its Military Transport Aircraft Division, of the A330 MRTT (Multi Role Transport Tanker) as the new air to air refuelling aircraft for the UAE Air Force & Air Defense.
  19. ^ Hoyle, Craig (2008-01-03). "Saudi Arabia picks EADS to supply three Airbus A330-based tankers". Flightglobal. Reed Business Information. Retrieved 2009-04-02. Riyadh's selection of the Airbus A330-based multirole tanker transport was confirmed on 3 January, with the aircraft to be equipped with under-wing hose and drogue pods and EADS Casa's advanced refuelling boom system.
  20. ^ "Saudi MODA places order for EADS A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) for the future air-to-air refuelling aircraft of the Royal Saudi Air Force". EADS website. Madrid: EADS N.V. 2008-01-03. Retrieved 2009-04-02. The Saudi MODA has decided the acquisition of the A330 MRTT as the new air-to-air refuelling aircraft for its Royal Saudi Air Force as a result of the competition process started in early 2006.
  21. ^ Tran, Pierre. "Saudi Arabia Buys 3 A330s From France". Defense News, 27 July 2009.
  22. ^ "Airbus wins an order from India for its airborne refuelling tanker jet". The Daily Post. 2009-05-26. Retrieved 2009-08-03.
  23. ^ "IAF's Rs 6000-cr refuelling aircraft tender cancelled".
  24. ^ Mathews, Neelam. "Cancellation Of Indian Midair Refuelers Concerns Industry". Aviation Week, 12 January 2010.
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