Subscribe to our RSS feed

Issue 36 - January 28, 2008

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

•	Refueling system for the Northrop Grumman KC-30 Tanker completes major flight test milestones
•	A330-200 Freighter order volume expands with another U.S. customer's booking

Refueling system for the Northrop Grumman KC-30 Tanker completes major flight test milestones

The state-of-the-art refueling system for Northrop Grumman’s KC-30 Tanker has completed key flight test milestones, underscoring its maturity and low risk development for the U.S. Air Force’s next-generation aerial refueling aircraft requirement.

During a fast-paced flight test program, the KC-30 Tanker’s all-digital FRL 905E-series refueling pods deployed their hose and drogues to multiple lengths, showing “rock solid” stability at a full range of speeds and altitudes. 

The Royal Australian Air Force A330 MRTT's hose and drogue demonstrates "rock solid" stability as the F/A-18 makes an operational-type approach.

In parallel, the KC-30 Tanker’s fly-by-wire Aerial Refueling Boom System (ARBS) demonstrated its ability to service large transports and multi-mission platforms, validating the ARBS’ compatibility with the wide range of refueling-capable aircraft in the U.S. Air Force inventory.

The hose and drogue validation utilized the Royal Australian Air Force’s no. 1 A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT), which is based on the same airframe as the KC-30 Tanker, and is equipped with the same multi-point refueling system proposed for the U.S. Air Force.  

An F/A-18 combat aircraft made operational-type approaches behind the extended hoses and drogues as they trailed from the pods under the A330 MRTT’s left and right wings – with the fighter moving into very close proximity at the pre-contact position. 

The hoses and drogues were extended at lengths of 75 ft., 82 ft. and 90 ft. during multiple deployments at altitudes from 10,000 ft. to 35,000 ft., and at airspeeds ranging from 180 kts. to 300 kts.  These deployments were made as the A330 MRTT flew in both level flight and while banking, reflecting typical operational profiles during refueling missions.  In all scenarios, the Cobham/Sargent Fletcher-built FRL 905E-series hose and drogue system exhibited total and complete stability, which is critical for successful refueling of probe-equipped receiver aircraft.

EADS' A310 demonstrator aircraft has its boom extended as the Royal Australian Air Force A330 MRTT approaches the fly-by-wire system.

During the same flight, the Royal Australian Air Force’s A330 MRTT joined up in flight with the A310 ARBS equipped demonstrator aircraft fitted with EADS’ Aerial Refueling Boom System. 

The ARBS was extended to various points throughout the refueling envelope as the A330 MRTT moved to within six inches of the all-electric fly-by-wire boom.  These close proximity tests confirmed the boom system’s compatibility with large receiver aircraft, and followed the ARBS’ recent in-flight contacts with an F-16 combat aircraft.

A330-200 Freighter order volume expands with another U.S. customer’s booking

MatlinPatterson Global Advisers LLC has become the A330-200 Freighter aircraft’s latest customer, signing for six aircraft through an affiliate.  The U.S. investment fund plans for the aircraft to be used by certain of its airline portfolio companies, such as Varig Logistica in Brazil and Global Aero Logistics in the United States.

This new contract brings bookings for the recently-launched A330-200F to 72 firm orders from eight customers, confirming its strong market acceptance in the airline freighter sector.  The A330-200F’s superior payload-range capability and low operating cost were key factors in MatlinPatterson’s selection of the aircraft.

Both the A330-200 Freighter and the Northrop Grumman KC-30 Tanker are based on the best-selling A330 twin-engine jetliner.  EADS has made the commitment to co-locate production of the two aircraft types at its Mobile, Alabama aerospace center of excellence, resulting in a robust final assembly line that ensures low risk, high efficiency and increased capacity for both military and commercial customers.  The decision is dependent on U.S. Air Force selection of Northrop Grumman’s KC-30 Tanker as its new aerial refueling platform.

Contact:
Guy Hicks
Vice President – Communications and Public Relations
EADS North America
Tel: 703 236-3300
e-mail: guy.hicks@eads-na.com