For previous updates, see our Newsletter Archive.
Issue 13 – June 7, 2007
In this issue of the EADS North America Tanker Activity Update:
EADS Advanced Air Refueling Boom System passes its 100-flight hour milestone
The EADS fly-by-wire boom has logged 35 test flights and more than 100 flight hours in evaluations that confirm the capabilities of the world’s more advanced military aerial refueling system.
The flight testing utilizes an A310 testbed aircraft equipped with the EADS Air Refueling Boom System (ARBS), and evaluations to date have focused on a full range of deployment conditions.
One mission performed this week included the participation of a military fighter, which represented a receiver aircraft for refueling. The fighter flew in the pre-contact position behind the boom to test tanker-to-receiver communications, along with interrelated aerodynamic effects.
Developed in a $100 million EADS self-funded research and development effort, the ARBS provides highly accurate, reliable in-flight refueling – taking full advantage of modern fly-by-wire technology. The ARBS will equip five EADS KC-30B tanker aircraft ordered by the Royal Australian Air Force, along with three tankers for the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The boom system also will be incorporated on the Northrop Grumman KC-30 Tanker, which is offered in the ongoing competition to modernize the U.S. Air Force’s aerial refueling fleet.
The ARBS delivers a maximum nominal fuel flow rate of 1,200 U.S. gallons per minute. It features an automatic load alleviation system that provides a large refueling envelope and enhanced controllability. The system’s all-electric design significantly reduces traditional failure rates and subsequent down times. Using a 3D-vision surveillance system, the boom operator remotely controls ARBS operations from the cockpit during air-to-air refueling.
U.K. Ministry of Defence advances RAF's A330-200 tanker/transport aircraft program by approving financing initiative
The UK Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, Lord Drayson, announced on June 6 that the British government had approved a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) solution as the most cost-effective way of replacing the Royal Air Force’s fleet of VC10 and TriStar aircraft.
The British Ministry of Defence will now proceed towards financial and contractual close of the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) Private Finance Initiative deal with AirTanker Ltd. In turn, AirTanker has announced the launch of the Financing Competition to raise approximately £2 billion capital investment for the UK’s FSTA Private Finance Initiative program.
This decision marks a major step forward in the program to supply 14 A330-200s in the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) program. The EADS A330-200s will be provided by the AirTanker industry consortium, which was selected as the preferred bidder in 2005 after a competition against the Boeing 767 tanker.
With the U.K. government’s June 6 go-ahead, AirTanker is authorized to raise the Private Finance Initiative funding for procurement and operation of the Royal Air Force’s A330-200 fleet, as well as the construction of new facilities from which AirTanker will provide the tanker/transport services. The UK Ministry of Defence Private Finance Initiative contract with AirTanker covers a period of 27 years.
“This announcement represents an enormous step forward in this vital program for the RAF and UK Defence,” said British Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy, Chief of the Air Staff. “Air-to-Air refueling and strategic airlift are fundamental to the UK's expeditionary capability and FSTA is a crucial part of that. Although our current fleets of VC10 and Tristar aircraft are doing a superb job, both fleets are coming towards the end of their useful lives. I am, therefore, delighted that this key milestone has been achieved, and I look forward to getting the new aircraft and facilities into service as soon as possible."
Ireland's Aer Lingus orders six more A330s
Aer Lingus has ordered six additional A330s in a further strengthening of the order book backlog for this twin-engine jetliner, on which Northrop Grumman’s KC-30 Tanker is based.
The Irish national carrier previously acquired nine A330s. Eight of these jetliners currently are operational in its fleet, with the remaining aircraft to be delivered this summer.
To date, more than 700 A330s have been purchased by operators worldwide.
Contact:
Guy Hicks
Vice President – Communications and Public Relations
EADS North America
Tel: 703 236-3300
e-mail: guy.hicks@eads-na.com
