ARLINGTON, VA -- 11/09/09 --
The A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT),
an Airbus Military program, has achieved a new milestone with its first
nighttime refueling operation using the advanced Aerial Refueling Boom
System (ARBS) integrated on the first Australian A330 tanker.
The Royal Australian Air Force A330 MRTT transferred more than 3,300 pounds
of fuel through the ARBS during a multi-contact mission involving two F-16
fighter aircraft.
This flight confirmed the ARBS' superior nighttime operational capabilities
with its state-of-the-art 3-D enhanced vision system, which features laser
infrared lighting and high-definition digital stereoscopic viewing. It
also provided a new validation of the boom's handling qualities, precision
and stability as integrated on the A330 MRTT.
The nighttime refueling mission is part of final flight testing for the
A330 MRTT, on which Northrop Grumman's KC-45 for the U.S. Air Force is
based. This marks another step in preparations for the startup of A330
MRTT deliveries to Australia, which is one of four countries having ordered
the next-generation tanker to date.
"Night refueling is one of the most challenging missions for our
warfighters, and the A330 MRTT has once again demonstrated its superior
capabilities as the only next-generation tanker aircraft in production
today," said Ralph D. Crosby, Jr., the Chairman of EADS North America.
"Completion of this significant milestone reinforces the fact that the A330
MRTT is able to meet the most demanding U.S. Air Force requirements."
The Royal Australian Air Force's A330 MRTT is similar in configuration to
Northrop Grumman's KC-45 Tanker offered for the U.S. Air Force. As with
the KC-45, Australia's A330 MRTT incorporates the Airbus Military
state-of-the-art Aerial Refueling Boom System with all-electric,
fly-by-wire controls, plus two digital hose-and-drogue pods under the
wings. The advanced ARBS can deliver fuel at 1,200 U.S. gallons per minute,
a key requirement for the U.S. Air Force's tanker.
This mix of boom and pod refueling technologies ensures the A330 MRTT and
KC-45 can transfer fuel to all types of receiver aircraft during a single
mission without reconfiguration. The KC-45 also offers a centerline
hose-and-drogue fuselage refueling unit.
The A330 MRTT is the next-generation tanker of choice for NATO and allied
forces worldwide, and continues to demonstrate its maturity leading to the
first deliveries next year. To date, the ARBS installed in the Australian
A330 MRTT aircraft has performed more than 70 contacts and transferred more
than 40,000 pounds of fuel. Overall, the ARBS has completed more than 250
wet and dry contacts with a wide range of receiver aircraft, in a full
range of operating conditions and throughout its flight envelope, during
evaluations aboard the A330 MRTT and from a test-bed aircraft.
The A330 MRTT has won all of the latest competitions for next-generation
aerial refueling aircraft -- with selections by the air forces of
Australia, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
A total of 28 A330 MRTTs have been ordered to date.
Deliveries of the five A330 MRTTs ordered by Australia will begin in
mid-2010. Conversion is complete for the first two aircraft, and the
process is ongoing for a third at Qantas Aviation Services in Australia.
A total of five A330 MRTT aircraft currently are in the conversion and
flight test process by Airbus Military: the three for Australia, plus two
for the United Kingdom -- underscoring the company's ability to build,
outfit and deliver the next-generation tanker at a sustained rate. In
addition, the first A330 MRTT for the Saudi Royal Air Force will arrive to
undergo its conversion in November.
About EADS North America
EADS North America is the North American operation of EADS, a global leader
in aerospace, defense and related services. As a leader in all sectors of
defense and homeland security, EADS North America and its parent company,
EADS, contribute over $11 billion to the U.S. economy annually and support
more than 200,000 American jobs through its network of suppliers and
services. Operating in 17 states, EADS North America offers a broad array
of advanced solutions to its customers in the commercial, homeland
security, aerospace and defense markets.
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Media Contact:
Guy Hicks
Vice President, Corporate Communications
EADS North America
Tel: 703 236 3346
E-mail: Email Contact
