Issue 52 – April 28, 2009

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

•	EADS’ A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport demonstrates refueling compatibility with the C-135/KC-135 tanker
•	The A330’s global operating base expands with new airline deliveries

EADS’ A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport demonstrates refueling compatibility with the C-135/KC-135 tanker

The A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) – on which the Northrop Grumman KC-45 is based – has marked a new development milestone by flying as a receiver aircraft with a C-135 tanker operated by the French Air Force.  During two airborne sorties, the C-135 made 20 contacts with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) A330 MRTT, the first of five aircraft to be delivered to the RAAF.   

The Royal Australian Air Force is one of five military services that have selected A330-based refueling aircraft to meet their nation’s tanker/transport requirements, including Australia, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.  In 2008, the United States Air Force selected the Northrop Grumman KC-45 to replace its aging KC-135 refueling fleet.

Phase two MRTT flight testing began in December 2008 and has validated the aircraft’s flight control laws and compatibility with a broad range of military aircraft while operating as both a tanker and receiver; tested and expanded the operational envelope of the centerline refueling boom and two underwing refueling pods; and tested onboard avionics – including NATO-standard Link 16 data communications and the Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS). 

A key technology on the A330 MRTT and Northrop Grumman KC-45 is the EADS advanced Aerial Refueling Boom System (ARBS).  The ARBS provides highly accurate, reliable in-flight refueling, with a maximum nominal fuel flow rate of 1,200 U.S. gallons per minute.  A high-resolution, panoramic and 3D-vision surveillance system enables the aircraft’s boom operator to remotely control the boom from the cockpit during day or night air-to-air refueling missions. 

The A330’s global operating base expands with new airline deliveries

Two airlines have introduced new A330s into their fleets, expanding the worldwide operating numbers for this twin-engine jetliner – on which Northrop Grumman’s KC-45 for the U.S. Air Force is based.

The initial new A330-300 for Swiss International Air Lines was received this month, marking the first of nine ordered to expand this Zurich-based carrier’s medium- to long-haul network.

Swiss International Air Lines already utilizes the A330-200 variant in international service, and it chose the family of A330 jetliners for its performance, range and highly efficient operation. In addition, the A330’s modern fly-by-wire controls enable flight crews to benefit from the cockpit commonality with the airline’s A330/A340 widebody aircraft and the single-aisle A319s, A320s and A321s also flown by the Swiss carrier.

In March, Finnair became a new operator for the A330 type – taking delivery of its first of eight aircraft in an ambitious fleet modernization plan. The Finnish carrier also operates the A340 (a four-engine aircraft that shares the same basic fuselage and wing with the A330), along with single-aisle A319s, A320s and A321s.

With over 11 million hours in operation, the A330 has demonstrated its very low operating costs per seat in global commercial airline service, and has proven to be the most efficient aircraft in its class.

Orders for A330 Family aircraft have surpassed the 1,010 mark, with an additional 385 of the four-engine A340s sold to customers worldwide.  Production of the A330/A340 is continuing at a rate of 8.5 aircraft per month, guaranteeing a sustained output and an active supplier base over the long term for these aircraft and their military tanker/transport derivatives.

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