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Issue 67 – November 23, 2009
In this issue of the EADS North America Tanker Activity Update:
EADS tanker program achieves key milestone by simultaneously transferring fuel to two fighter aircraft
The A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (A330 MRTT), an Airbus Military program, has performed the first simultaneous fuel transfer with its all-digital hose-and-drogue system, fueling two fighter aircraft at the same time.
The hose-and-drogue fuel transfers occurred on November 18 during a flight test sortie that utilized both the A330 MRTT’s left and right under-wing pods. In total, the A330 MRTT conducted 11 simultaneous airborne refueling contacts with two NATO F/A-18 fighters and transferred more than 25,000 lbs of fuel.
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The latest refueling milestone was performed by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) A330 MRTT, and follows recent daytime and nighttime refueling operations utilizing the aircraft’s advanced Aerial Refueling Boom System (ARBS), as well as previous fuel transfers using the wing-mounted hose-and-drogue refueling systems.
As a result, both refueling systems on the A330 MRTT have now been demonstrated through flight tests, confirming the aircraft’s maturity in preparation for the startup of deliveries to international customers beginning in 2010.
The A330 MRTT’s all-digital 905E refueling pods are the most modern in service today, with the capability to deliver up to 420 gallons of fuel per minute. Their 90-foot hoses are designed to accommodate probe-equipped military receiver aircraft at refueling speeds of 180 to 325 knots. The refueling process is controlled from a state-of-the-art Remote Aerial Refueling Operator (RARO) station located on the A330 MRTT’s flight deck behind the pilots, which also is utilized for refueling operations with the ARBS.
The RAAF A330 MRTT is nearly identical in configuration to the Northrop Grumman KC-45 Tanker, and uses the same refueling systems. As with the KC-45, Australia's A330 MRTT incorporates the Airbus Military state-of-the-art ARBS with all-electric, fly-by-wire controls, plus the two digital hose-and-drogue pods under the wings. The ARBS can deliver fuel at 1,200 U.S. gallons per minute, a key requirement for the U.S. Air Force's tanker.
This mix of boom and pod refueling technologies ensures the A330 MRTT and KC-45 can rapidly and safely transfer fuel to all types of receiver aircraft during a single mission without reconfiguration. In addition, the wing-mounted pods allow for simultaneous multi-point refueling. The KC-45 also will include a centerline hose-and-drogue fuselage refueling unit.
The A330 MRTT is the next-generation tanker of choice for NATO and allied forces worldwide. All recent competitions for next-generation aerial refueling aircraft have been won by the A330 MRTT – with selections made by the air forces of Australia, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. A total of 28 A330 MRTTs have been ordered to date.
The first of Australia’s five A330 MRTTs on order will be delivered in mid-2010. Conversion is complete for the country’s first two aircraft, and the process is ongoing for a third at Qantas Aviation Services in Australia.
A total of five A330 MRTT aircraft currently are in the conversion and flight test process by Airbus Military: the three for Australia, plus two for the United Kingdom – underscoring the company's ability to build, outfit and deliver the next-generation tanker at sustained rates from multiple production sites. In addition, the first A330 MRTT for the Saudi Royal Air Force arrived on Nov. 10 for the start of its conversion and mission equipment outfitting.
Initial Royal Saudi Air Force A330 MRTT is delivered for conversion as a multi-role tanker transport
The first Royal Saudi Air Force A330 MRTT is being readied for the installation of its mission equipment, bringing this new-generation aerial refueling aircraft one step closer to a military service introduction with allied countries in the Middle East.
The no. 1 Saudi Arabian aircraft was delivered earlier this month to Madrid, Spain, where it will undergo its conversion process to the tanker configuration. This is the first of six A330 MRTTs being acquired for the Royal Saudi Air Force.
Also ordering A330 MRTTs is the United Arab Emirates, whose first of three multi-role tanker transports is scheduled to arrive in Spain next January for conversion.
The A330 is first airliner to be certified for ETOPS "beyond 180 minutes"
All versions of the A330 jetliner – on which the Northrop Grumman KC-45 and A330 MRTT are based – have been approved for 180-minute-plus ETOPS (Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards), making this the first aircraft to receive such approval.
The new certification – provided by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) – was based in part to the proven reliability and robust systems of the A330 and its engines, as demonstrated over 14 million flight hours and 3.5 million flights.
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With the new capability, which will be available as a customer-selectable option, the A330’s diversion distance is extended to as much as 1,700 naut. mi. This distance corresponds to a maximum ETOPS diversion time for the A330 of approximately 240 minutes.
Operators of the A330 will now be able to serve new routes which are presently not flown within the existing ETOPS rules, which allow for up to a 180-minute diversion time. Examples include new service over the south Atlantic Ocean, mid- and south Pacific Ocean, and mid-Indian Ocean. Operators flying on existing routes will benefit from the new regulation, since it will allow them to fly more directly and eco-efficiently. Some estimates show a fuel saving potential of up to 10 percent for some long range routes.
ETOPS is an International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) rule permitting twin-engine commercial aircraft operators to fly routes that are up to a specified flying time from the nearest airport. Since 1995, all A330 models have been approved by EASA and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration for ETOPS of up to 180 minutes, during which the aircraft have accumulated more than five million ETOPS flight hours in over 800,000 ETOPS flights.
New commitments expand the A330's commercial customer base
Two more international airlines have selected the A330 jetliner for their fleet expansion and modernization, joining a growing customer base for the commercial jetliner that serves as the basis for the A330 MRTT and Northrop Grumman’s KC-45.
Senegal Airlines, the new national carrier of the Republic of Senegal, has signed a letter of intent to purchase two A330s. This new carrier will launch services in early 2010 from its hub in Dakar to destinations in Africa and Europe.
Separately, the Nepalese national carrier, Nepal Airlines Corporation, has inked a memorandum of understanding to acquire one A330, which will be deployed on routes to Europe and North Asia and will play an instrumental role in developing Nepal’s tourism industry.
To date, the A330 has won more than 1,000 firm orders from commercial, government and military customers worldwide, with over 640 in service for 80-plus operators.
Contact:
Guy Hicks
Vice President – Communications and Public Relations
EADS North America
Tel: 703 236-3300
e-mail: guy.hicks@eads-na.com
