30 Desember 2011

Airbus Military A330 MRTT (photo : Aus DoD)

The fourth Airbus Military A330 MRTT multi-role tanker transport for the Royal Australian Air Force has been formally handed over to the service, leaving just one aircraft of its order still to be delivered.

Known as the KC-30A in RAAF operation, this particular aircraft is the only one for the RAAF to have been converted from the basic A330 in Madrid, the others having been converted by Qantas Defence Services in Brisbane, Australia. It took part in the A330 MRTT development programme and has been extensively renovated prior to delivery in Madrid.

Following the handover the aircraft will remain in Spain for continued test work and will be transferred to RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland later in the year. The fifth and final aircraft will be delivered in the third quarter of the year.

The A330 MRTT recently underwent successful refuelling trials in Australia with a RAAF F/A-18 fighter and earlier this month was displayed by the RAAF at the LIMA Airshow in Malaysia.

It is the world’s most advanced air-to-air tanker and the only certified and flying new generation tanker/transport aircraft in existence. It will substantially increase the aerial refuelling and logistical capabilities of the RAAF.

In RAAF service, the aircraft are equipped with two underwing refuelling pods, the fly-by-wire Airbus Military Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS), and a Universal Aerial Refuelling Receptacle Slipway Installation (UARRSI) enabling it to be refuelled from another tanker. Powered by two General Electric CF6-80E engines, the aircraft are equipped with a comprehensive defensive aids suite (DAS) and fitted with 270 passenger seats.

(Airbus Military)

08 November 2011

The third RAAF's A330 MRTT (photo : Airbus Military)

The third aircraft in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) expanding fleet of new-generation Airbus Military A330 MRTT multi-role tanker/transports has been formally handed over to the RAAF providing a significant boost to Defence’s in-flight refuelling, air logistics support and air combat capability.

The delivery of the aircraft to RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland, today marks another major milestone for the A330 MRTT programme and the world’s most advanced air-to-air tanker aircraft, designated the KC-30A in Australian military service. The first two KC-30As were delivered in June.

Today’s delivery is the third of five MRTTs ordered by the RAAF. As with the first two aircraft delivered in June, this MRTT was also converted from an Airbus A330 commercial passenger jet to a military tanker/transport by Qantas Defence Services at the Australian MRTT Conversion Centre at Brisbane Airport.

With three MRTTs now in RAAF fleet service, a fourth - actually the first to be converted but at Airbus Military’s headquarters in Spain - will be handed over in Madrid in December. The fifth and final aircraft, which arrived in Brisbane for conversion some weeks ago, will be delivered next year.

All five A330 MRTTs were acquired under AIR 5402 to provide the Australian Defence Force (ADF) with what is the world’s only certified and flying new generation tanker/transport aircraft. The type has also been ordered by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom, with Saudi Arabia having already placed a repeat order.

In RAAF service, the aircraft are equipped with two underwing refuelling pods, the fly-by-wire Airbus Military Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS), and a Universal Aerial Refuelling Receptacle Slipway Installation (UARRSI) enabling it to be refuelled from another tanker. Powered by two General Electric CF6-80E engines, the aircraft are equipped with a comprehensive defensive aids suite (DAS) and fitted with 270 passenger seats.

(Airbus Military)

16 September 2011

RAAF KC-30A MRTT (photo : Aus DoD)

Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced that A39-002 KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport has completed its first flight in RAAF service.

The aircraft took off from RAAF Base Amberley at about 10.40am today for a 2 hours and 45 minutes long flight over Roma and the Sunshine Coast, before returning to RAAF Base Amberley.
During the flight the eight personnel on board conducted a check of the aircraft’s systems and crew operating procedures.

Mr Clare said this flight was the next step towards the new air tanker entering service with the RAAF.

“This is the most advanced tanker aircraft in the world. It’s an important piece of equipment for our Air Force,” Mr Clare said.

“It’s an Airbus aeroplane which has been converted into a flying petrol station, which will allow our Hornets, Super Hornets, C-17s and Wedgetail to be refuelled in the air.

“It can carry more than 100 tonnes of fuel, and can itself be refuelled by another tanker mid-flight.
“This means these planes can fly further without having to return to base, making them more effective.”

Mr Clare said the aircraft is operated by Air Force’s No. 33 Squadron from RAAF Amberley.

“This test flight was conducted to make sure they could work the aircraft safely and effectively,” Mr Clare said.

Personnel will now begin an intensive operational test and evaluation flying program for the aircraft. Initial operational capability is expected in late 2012.

Air Force received two KC-30As during June 2011, with another two due to be handed over by the end of the year.

Qantas Defence Services is currently converting the final A330-200 aircraft into a KC-30A tanker at its Brisbane Airport facility, for delivery in 2012.

(Aus DoD)

30 Juli 2011

RSAF's KC-135 tanker aircraft (photo : Scramble)

In Asia, Singapore is actively working toward finding replacements for its four KC-135Rs. Industry executives say Singapore’s ministry of defense has been speaking to aircraft manufacturers about this. One industry executive says a tender is expected to be issued next year, with a decision likely in early 2013.

An important requirement is that the new tankers will assist the Singapore air force’s Boeing F-15SGs to fly between Singapore and its overseas detachment at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, industry executives say. Singapore’s air force also has an overseas detachment of Lockheed Martin F-16C/Ds at Luke AFB, Ariz.

Close ties between the Singapore and U.S. air forces would ordinarily mean Boeing would be the frontrunner to win the Singapore contract, but this time around the Airbus Military A330MRTT is the favorite, according to industry executives outside of Airbus Military.

Besides Airbus Military, another possible contender is Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). Singapore and Israel have close defense ties and IAI’s Bedek Aviation has a program that converts Boeing 767s to tankers.

There is also a competition in India for six tankers, with the A330MRTT and the Ilyushin Il-78 tanker shortlisted, as Boeing has already decided to rule itself out of that competition.

Full Article :
Asians, Europeans Seek Aerial Refuelers

(Aviation Week)

23 Juni 2011

KC-30A MRTT (photo : Airbus Military)

The second Airbus Military A330 MRTT new generation tanker/transport has been formally delivered to the Australian Defence Materiel Organisation at the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) base RAAF Amberley, Queensland, Australia.
(EADS)

The aircraft, designated the KC-30A in RAAF service, was ferried from Madrid following its conversion by Qantas Defence Services (QDS) and Airbus Military and arrived on Saturday 18th June. Formal handover of the aircraft took place on 22nd June and follows the delivery of the first aircraft on 1st June.

The third aircraft is under conversion in Brisbane by QDS and will be delivered later this year. The fourth aircraft to be delivered is under refurbishment in Madrid, following completion of developmental, certification and qualification testing and will be delivered to the DMO by the end of the year. The fifth and final aircraft for the RAAF, also converted by QDS, will be delivered in 2012 and the fleet will serve with 33 Squadron RAAF.

In RAAF service, the A330 MRTT will be equipped with two underwing refuelling pods, the fly-by-wire Airbus Military Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS), and a Universal Aerial Refuelling Receptacle Slipway Installation (UARRSI) enabling it to be refuelled from another tanker. It is powered by two General Electric CF6-80E engines, has an optimized cabin layout of 270 seats, crew rest compartment and integral airstairs, and underfloor cargo hold for both military pallets and civil cargo containers.

(EADS)

02 Juni 2011

CAE would provide aircrew training service for KC-30A tanker aircraft (photo : Airbus Military)

Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced that CAE Australia would provide aircrew training services for the new KC-30A air-to-air refuelling tanker.

Mr Clare said CAE would be on the ground at RAAF Amberley to provide maintenance and support to the simulator on which the aircrews of the
KC-30As will be trained.

“This means 16 more jobs and around $20 million in investment between 2012 and 2018,” Mr Clare said.

“CAE support teams will be on-site at the KC-30A training facility to provide support and maintenance.

“This means any issues that arise with the simulator can be addressed quickly because we have experts based at the training centre to manage them.”

Mr Clare said that this work was an extension of CAE’s existing contract with Defence for the Management and Support of ADF Aerospace Simulators.

“CAE already has the contract to provide management and support to 15 of the Defence Force’s training devices and simulators across the country.

“This is in addition to that work and means that we can take advantage of CAE’s expertise in this area.

“It also means savings. By extending the existing contract Defence can cut overheads and operate a more economical and efficient simulator training system for ADF personnel.”

(Australian DoD)

01 Juni 2011

A330 MRTT (photo : Australian DoD)

The first KC-30A tanker to have been delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force has touched down at the service's Amberley air base in Queensland, following its transfer from Airbus Military's Getafe site near Madrid, Spain.

Carrying the temporary registration MRTT003, aircraft A39-003 is the third of five modified

Airbus A330-200s on order for the RAAF. It is also the first of three to be converted for air-to-air refuelling tasks by local contractor Qantas Defence Services.

The aircraft landed at Amberley on 30 May, three days after leaving Getafe. Its delivery flight included stops in the mainland USA and Hawaii.

Airbus Military in mid-May said that Australia could receive two of its delayed multi-role tanker/transports during June, with two more to follow late this year. The programme's fifth aircraft should be accepted during 2012.

The RAAF's new KC-30As are being delivered in a 270-seat, two-class configuration, in addition to their two under-wing hose and drogue refuelling pods and air refuelling boom system. The aircraft has a maximum fuel capacity of 111t.

(Flight Global)

28 Mei 2011

A330 MRTT for RAAF (photo : Airbus Military)

The first Airbus Military A330 MRTT new generation tanker/transport for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has left Madrid at 10h00 local time on its ferry flight to Australia.

Designated the KC-30A in RAAF service, the aircraft is scheduled to arrive at RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland on Monday 30 May, and to be formally handed over to the customer in the next few days.

On its ferry flight, the A330 MRTT is being flown by Airbus Military and RAAF crews, and will transit via McCarran (Nevada) and Hickam (Hawaii) in the USA.

The aircraft is the second converted by Qantas Defence Services in Brisbane, which was returned to Madrid for painting and finishing. It will be joined by the second aircraft for the RAAF in June, and two further aircraft later in the year. The fifth and final aircraft ordered by the RAAF, which arrived in Brisbane for conversion a few days ago, will be delivered next year.

The arrival of the aircraft at RAAF Amberley follows an extensive development and test programme for what is the world’s only certified and flying new generation tanker/transport aircraft. Civil Supplemental Type Certificate was obtained in March 2010, and the military certification in October.

In RAAF service the A330 MRTT will be equipped with two underwing refuelling pods, the fly-by-wire Airbus Military Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS), and a Universal Aerial Refuelling Receptacle Slipway Installation (UARRSI) enabling it to be refuelled from another tanker. It is powered by two General Electric CF6-80E engines. It is equipped with a comprehensive defensive aids suite (DAS) and fitted with 270 passenger seats.

(Airbus Military)

20 Mei 2011

A330 MRTT cutaway (photo : XAV)

Australia could take delivery of its first delayed A330-based multi-role tanker/transports in June, while AirbusMilitary has received certification for a safety modification to the type's fly-by-wire refuelling boom.

Aircraft two and three from the Royal Australian Air Force's eventual five-strong KC-30A fleet have been awaiting acceptance at the company's Getafe site near Madrid, Spain since late last year.

"Our expectation is that both aircraft will be in Australia in June," said Antonio Caramazana, Airbus Military's vice-president derivative programmes. "Our Australian customer is very conscious of the aircraft's capabilities, and would like as mature a system as possible when it enters use."

The first aircraft to have been converted is having instrumentation removed by Iberia Maintenance following the completion of flight-test activities. It will then have a new air refuelling boom system installed, to replace the one which was lost during a training mishap involving a Portuguese air force Lockheed Martin F-16 in January. Delivery could occur "towards the end of this year", Caramazana said.

Company officials speaking at Getafe on 18 May refused to reveal full details of the January incident, but said it was the result of human error and that "the boom was not out of the [flight] envelope". A human/machine interface modification that adds a stick-shaker function to the boom operator's controls will give "better feedback" in the future, it said. The enhancement was certificated on 29 April, but has not been requested by the Australian customer.

Airbus Military is in negotiations with Australia's Defence Materiel Organisation over a commercial settlement linked to the late handover of the KC-30A fleet, said Caramazana. Once this process has been completed the RAAF could receive four of its aircraft this year, with the last to follow during 2012.

Conversion work on aircraft four is about to be completed by Qantas Defence Services, with this to fly in August. The RAAF's last A330 is due to be flown to Australia from Toulouse on 22 May and will enter conversion next January.

Meanwhile, Airbus Military has confirmed plans to display Saudi Arabia's first of six A330 MRTTs at the Paris air show in June.

The General Electric CF6-engined aircraft will be delivered later this year, following the receipt by August of technical certification and qualification, Caramazana said.June.

(FlightGlobal)

21 Januari 2011

A330-MRTT (image : Airbus)

Airbus Military has launched an investigation into an in-flight refuelling mishap that damaged one of the Royal Australian Air Force's delayed A330 multi-role tanker transports (MRTT).
The aircraft was being operated by Airbus Military personnel from the company's Getafe site near Madrid, Spain when the incident happened at around 17:00 local time on 19 January. Also involved was a Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter from the Portuguese air force.

"The incident resulted in the detachment and partial loss of the refuelling boom from the MRTT," the Australian Department of Defence says. The separated part fell into the sea after causing "some damage to both aircraft", which then "returned safely to their home airfields", it adds.
"Airbus Military and the relevant European military airworthiness authorities will have the lead responsibility for investigating the incident," the DoD says. Australian experts will also participate in the process.

Designed by EADS, the MRTT's advanced refuelling boom system uses fly-by-wire controls and has an extended length of 18.2m (60ft). The system is also being installed on A330 tankers on order for Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The mishap comes at an embarrassing time for EADS North America, which is offering the A330-based KC-45 against the Boeing 767 NewGen Tanker in the US Air Force's 179-aircraft KC-X contest. Its offer draws heavily on the MRTT configuration developed for Australia.

Airbus chief executive Tom Enders describes KC-X as "a very important business opportunity for EADS and Airbus".

Australia will receive five MRTTs under the nation's Project Air 5402 acquisition. The first two had been due to arrive in December, but Airbus Military and the DoD are still working to complete the necessary paperwork ahead of the transfer. To be designated the KC-30A in RAAF service, the type had originally been due to enter use from mid-2009.

(Flight Global)