In this issue of the EADS North America Tanker Activity Update:

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A "walkaround" of the Royal Australian Air Force's no. 1 KC-30B Multi-Role Tanker Transport

The no. 1 A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport’s participation at the 2007 Paris Air Show provided a close-up opportunity to evaluate EADS’ next-generation aerial refueling platform and airlifter.  The following “walkaround” highlights some of the key features of this aircraft, which is the initial KC-30B to be supplied by EADS to the Royal Australian Air Force:

The A330 MRTT can offload more fuel at greater distances than any other tanker aircraft, while also carrying passengers on the main deck as well as pallets and other cargo in the lower deck holds.  For the Royal Australian Air Force, the aircraft is outfitted with a Link 16 real-time data link for airborne connectivity, and a directional infrared countermeasures (DIRCM) system to defeat infrared missile threats.  It also is equipped with a receptacle slipway above the cockpit for refueling by other tanker aircraft.

Two 72,000-lb.-thrust CF6-80E1 engines power the KC-30B Tanker. GE Aviation’s CF6 powerplant family is recognized for its high reliability, excellent fuel burn and durability in use worldwide on both military and civilian aircraft.  CF6 engines have flown more hours than any other high bypass engine family ever produced.  Among the CF6’s current applications is the popular A330 jetliner, on which the KC-30B Tanker is based.

The KC-30B’s two FRL 905E-series hose and drogue refueling pods are the most modern in service today.  These all-digital electric pods carry their own power system and can offload approximately 420 gallons of fuel per minute.  Fitted with 90-ft. long hoses, they are designed for use with probe-equipped receiver aircraft at refueling speeds of 180 to 325 kts.The pods are mounted on pre-existing outboard wing structures which already are outfitted for fuel and power – requiring no major modifications to the wing.

The KC-30B’s 245,000 lb. fuel load is fully accommodated in the aircraft’s wing and center-wing tanks, simplifying the fuel distribution management and center of gravity issues during flight.  The aerodynamically-advanced KC-30B wing includes winglets that cut drag and reduce wingtip vortices – providing extra stability when the drogue hoses are deployed for refueling operations.

This close-up photo details the cargo door location for the aft underfloor cargo hold.  The KC-30’s aft and forward cargo holds can carry 8-9 full-sized 463L pallets on all sorties, leaving the aircraft’s main deck available for passengers.  For the Royal Australian Air Force configuration, the main deck is equipped with 272 seats in a two-class layout.  Also visible in this image is a turret for the DIRCM system.

The advanced Aerial Refueling Boom System (ARBS) uses all-electric fly-by-wire technology, ensuring precision positioning and accuracy throughout the flight envelope.  Its intelligent controls incorporate built-in load alleviation, and allow automatic re-configuration of the boom's geometric refueling envelope for each type of receiver aircraft.  With the capacity to offload up to 1,200 gallons of fuel per minute, the ARBS is easily adaptable to future mission requirements - including the refueling of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

The flight deck of the KC-30B is equipped with a Remote Air Refueling Operator (RARO) station located just behind the pilots.  The refueling operator uses a 3-D stereoscopic enhanced vision system for day/night boom operation.  A second RARO console position can be occupied by an instructor or a mission coordinator.  In this picture, sensors for the directional infrared countermeasures system are visible on each side of the KC-30B’s forward fuselage, behind the cockpit windows.