Airbus Military: building on 10 years of MRTT experience

(June 9, 2010) -- This year, Airbus is celebrating 10 years of experience in the Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) business, following the German Luftwaffe's decision, in 2000, to get up to four of its Airbus A310 aircraft converted into MRTTs.

To mark this anniversary, Airbus CEO Tom Enders, together with Airbus Military Managing Director Domingo Urena, are handing over a commemorative plaque to Deputy Commander German Air Force, General Manfred Lange here at the Berlin Airshow.


Through its mother companies, Airbus' experience in building tanker planes dates back some 35 years. In 1976, at the request of the French Air Force, Aerospatiale, MBB and VFW (all now part of Airbus) presented the C-160NG Transall NG with aerial refuelling capabilities. And shortly afterwards, in 1978, the RAF decided to acquire the VC10s which were to be converted into tanker/transports by British Aerospace at its Filton factory, which is now also part of Airbus. These products did not make it onto the wider world market, but the technology and know-how that went into them resulted in reliable tankers that remain in service to this day.

From the 90s, the interest in a higher capacity, more flexible and capable product did arise in Europe, to adapt to the changing geo-political scene which required more range and fuel carrying capability to be operational at remote locations, while also being able to carry troops and other personnel. The Airbus A310 was to be the initial platform for this use. The Luftwaffe was the first to commit to this Multi Role Tanker Transport. EADS MTA (now part of Airbus Military) was in charge of the air-to-air hose and drogue refuelling system. Canada followed with two A310 MRTTs. These aircraft continue in reliable operation today.

But, to satisfy forthcoming demand, EADS MTA launched at full speed the development of the most advanced refuelling boom system ever - the fully fly-by-wire Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS). This work was based on the study of a "boom" Intertechnique and Aerospatiale had begun in 1995, in order to integrate it into future Airbus military derivatives. In 2000 MTA took charge of the project, introducing new fly-by-wire technology, with the aim of achieving a transfer capacity of 1,200 gallons per minute. A test rig was constructed at the company's facility in Getafe (Madrid) in 2004, and in 2006 the Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS) made its first flight on an A310-300 flying test bed.

Thus began an intensive programme of testing and development that culminated in the early dry contacts at the end of 2007, and the first wet fuel transfers in March the following year. In July 2009 the first transfer was done at night, refuelling a Portuguese Air Force F-16.

Meanwhile the Royal Australian Air Force, the Air Forces of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, as well as the Royal Air Force of the UK have selected the A330 MRTT. The RAAF ordered five in 2004. Saudi Arabia followed with an order for three aircraft. They were also the first customer to place a repeat order for another three in 2009. The United Arab Emirates ordered three in early 2008, followed by the RAF which procured 14 through the AirTanker consortium, also in early 2008. Total orders for the A330 MRTT currently stand at 28.

Development, conversion and flight testing of the A330 MRTT has progressed successfully. Civil certification of the modified aircraft with its new systems was obtained from EASA in March this year, and the military certification process is currently under way with the Spanish Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Aerospacial (INTA). Tested, tried and having demonstrated their capability, the first two A330 MRTTs are set to join the RAAF in the last quarter of this year.

Source : Airbus, an EADS N.V. company (Paris: EAD.PA)