One of the two Airbus Military A330 MRTT Multi Role Transport Tankers scheduled to be delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force this year has now been painted in the service’s colours. The aircraft, seen here at the Airbus Military facility at Getafe, Madrid, is the second to have undergone conversion and one of five ordered by the RAAF. The first two will be delivered later this year and will serve under the designation KC-30A with 33 Squadron at RAAF Amberley.
The Airbus Military A330 MRTT is the most advanced and most cost-effective Multi Role Tanker Transport existing today. The large 111,000 kg/245,000 lb basic fuel capacity of the successful A330-200 airliner, from which it is derived, enables the A330 MRTT to excel in air-to-air refuelling missions without any additional fuel tanks.
The A330 MRTT is offered with a choice of proven in-air refuelling systems, including an advanced aerial refuelling boom system, and/or hose and drogue wingpods and/or fuselage refuelling unit. Thanks to its true wide-body fuselage, the A330 MRTT can also be used as a pure transport aircraft able to carry up to 380 passengers or a payload of up to 45 tonnes / 99,000 lb. It can also easily be converted to accommodate up to 130 stretchers for Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC). Australia, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom have ordered a total of 28 A330 MRTTs.
Airbus Military is the only military and civil transport aircraft manufacturer to develop, produce, sell and support a comprehensive family of airlifters ranging from three to 37 tonnes of payload. Within Airbus, Airbus Military is responsible for the A400M programme, as well as for military tanker transport derivatives based on Airbus civil aircraft, with the integration of the state-of-the-art flight-refuelling boom (ARBS) which is unique in its class.
With the C-295, CN-235 and C-212, Airbus Military is the global leader in the market segments for light and medium-sized military transport aircraft. Altogether Airbus Military has sold more than 1,000 aircraft with over 650 flying with more than 100 operators worldwide.
