Issue 69 – February 4, 2010

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

•	EADS tanker program affirms maturity with refueling of NATO AWACS aircraft
•	A330-200F freighter deliveries to begin this Fall

EADS tanker program affirms maturity with refueling of NATO AWACS aircraft

The Airbus Military A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) has marked a new milestone with the aerial refueling of a French Air Force E-3F AWACS radar aircraft, transferring more than 65,000 pounds of fuel during two missions.

This new achievement validates the A330 MRTT’s capability to refuel a wide range of receiver aircraft, from the F-16 and F/A-18 fighters refueled in previous missions, to large aircraft such as the E-3 that require large fuel offloads at high transfer rates. The MRTT test team characterized the refueling operations as flawless, despite the potentially challenging aerodynamics posed by the size and unique shape of the radome-equipped AWACS.

The latest refueling missions were part of the flight test and military certification program for the Royal Australian Air Force’s A330 MRTT. Australia has ordered five aircraft, the first of which will be delivered later this year. The A330 MRTT is the basis of Northrop Grumman’s KC-45 Tanker offered for the U.S. Air Force.

EADS North America is a principal teammate on the Northrop Grumman KC-45 Tanker program, and is responsible for delivering the aircraft platform, which will be produced by Airbus at a new aviation center of excellence to be built in Mobile, Alabama.

The A330 MRTT has swept all competitions for next-generation aerial tankers since 2004, having been selected by Australia, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates – which together have ordered a total of 28 aircraft.

As with the KC-45, Australia's A330 MRTT incorporates Airbus Military’s state-of-the-art Aerial Refueling Boom System (ARBS), along with two digital hose-and-drogue pods under the wings. The all-electric, fly-by-wire ARBS can deliver fuel at 1,200 U.S. gallons per minute – a key requirement for the U.S. Air Force's tanker – while the digital 905E refueling pods provide up to 420 gallons of fuel per minute through 90-ft.-long hoses for probe-equipped receiver aircraft.

During last week’s AWACS refueling missions, the A330 MRTT made repeated contacts with the ARBS, at altitudes around 20,000 feet and 250 knots airspeed.

The process was controlled from a state-of-the-art Remote Aerial Refueling Operator (RARO) station located on the A330 MRTT’s flight deck behind the pilots. Using the RARO station’s high-definition 3D-vision system, the boom operator has precise control of boom position in day or night operations.

This Australian A330 MRTT has now conducted more than 200 wet and dry contacts during the development program, transferring more than 200,000 pounds of fuel via boom and drogue to three different types of NATO aircraft that also are flown by the U.S. Air Force and Navy.

A total of six A330 MRTT aircraft currently are in the conversion and flight test process: three for Australia, two for the United Kingdom and one for Saudi Arabia – underscoring the company's ability to build, outfit and deliver the next-generation tanker at sustained rates from multiple production sites.

A330-200F freighter deliveries to begin this Fall

The A330-200F freighter is nearing certification, bringing this newest version of the A330 aircraft platform – on which Northrop Grumman’s KC-45 Tanker is based – one step closer to its service introduction.

Two A330-200Fs currently are completing the cargo airlifter’s flight test and certification program, with customer deliveries to begin in the Fall.  More than 60 A330-200Fs have been ordered to date by customers that include U.S.-based Aircastle Limited, Guggenheim Aviation Partners, Intrepid Aviation Group and MatlinPatterson Global Advisers.

The no. 1 A330-200F is making its public debut at this week’s Singapore Airshow, where it will remain for two days of operational evaluations in the country’s hot, humid conditions.   This follows successful cold weather evaluations with the same aircraft in northern Canada at Iqaluit during February.

A large main-deck cargo door on the A330-200F enables the freighter to accept all commonly-used pallets and containers.  The electrically-controlled and hydraulically-operated 141 X 101-inch door is also is included in the KC-45’s configuration.

The A330-200F offers many operational advantages as the only new-generation freighter in its cargo-carrying weight category.  It has a payload capacity of up to 66,100 lbs, and builds on the A330 jetliner family’s overall success.  Over 1,000 of these aircraft have been sold to date and more than 660 delivered to 80-plus customers – resulting in an A330 takeoff occurring somewhere in the world approximately once every 60 seconds. 

A total of 14 million flight hours and 3.5 million flight cycles have been logged by A330s to date, with this fleet providing a fleet operational reliability of 99.5 percent – the highest for a long-range commercial aircraft in service today. Some 300 airports are served by these twin-engine jetliners around the globe.

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