Issue 58 – July 9, 2009

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

•	EADS’ advanced aerial refueling boom system for Northrop Grumman’s KC-45 performs nighttime contacts with NATO F-16
•	New order and delivery activity boost the A330’s worldwide presence

EADS’ advanced aerial refueling boom system for Northrop Grumman’s KC-45 performs nighttime contacts with NATO F-16

The EADS advanced aerial refueling boom system (ARBS) – featured on Northrop Grumman’s KC-45 offering for the U.S. Air Force – has demonstrated its superior nighttime operational capabilities during a multi-contact mission with an F-16 fighter aircraft.

This validation confirmed the performance of the boom’s state-of-the-art enhanced vision system – which features laser infrared lighting and high-definition digital stereoscopic viewing – and was carried out as part of the final qualification phase for the EADS A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT), on which the Northrop Grumman KC-45 is based.

The night mission was completed with the boom system installed on EADS’ A310 testbed aircraft, and involved a Portuguese Air Force F-16AM as the receiver.  After approach maneuvers for calibration of illumination, the boom made 17 contacts with the F-16 fighter.   

To date, the EADS boom system has performed more than 400 contacts with receiver aircraft that range from the F-16 to the E-3F AWACS and Australian KC-30A MRTT.  Follow-on activities will include additional boom and hose-and-drogue contacts with a variety of small and large receiver aircraft from the French, Portuguese, and Spanish air forces. 

Continued ARBS flight testing – along with final validations of the optimized Cobham 905E hose and drogue refueling pods – will lead to military certification of the A330 MRTT platform. In June, an A330 MRTT built for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) demonstrated successful hose-and-drogue contacts with an F/A-18 receiver aircraft.

The A330 MRTT has been selected by the air forces of Australia, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Deliveries of the A330 MRTT will begin next year, with Australia’s Air Force becoming the first military service to receive the aircraft.

New order and delivery activity boost the A330’s worldwide presence

The A330 jetliner – on which Northrop Grumman’s KC-45 for the U.S. Air Force is based – continues to expand its worldwide operating base and order backlog, supporting a sustained production rate and active supply chain for the twin-engine aircraft.

During the month of June, nine new A330s were received by customers, bringing total deliveries to 625.  This included two aircraft for US Airways – which is building a significant A330 fleet to expand operations at existing gateways and grow its intercontinental service.  Currently, A330s are flying with over 70 airlines and operators worldwide

Also in June, International Lease Finance Corporation booked an additional aircraft for its portfolio, bringing the total number of A330s ordered by this Los Angeles-based leasing company to 98.  Overall A330 orders have reached to 1,022 mark, which include aircraft for commercial airlines, government operators and military services.

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