Issue 75 – May 19, 2010

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

•	The KC-45 again demonstrates its readiness for U.S. Air Force operations
•	The first A330 jetliner is delivered to Saudi Arabia, which also is an A330 MRTT customer

The KC-45 again demonstrates its readiness for U.S. Air Force operations

In the latest demonstration of the readiness and capability of the EADS North America KC-45 aerial refueling tanker, two A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft have completed successful tanker-to-tanker refueling missions.

The KC-45 is the configuration of the Airbus Military A330 MRTT being offered to the U.S. Air Force, and is the only tanker in the Air Force competition that is flying and refueling today. The KC-45 will be built by 48,000 Americans nationwide, and if selected will be complemented by production of civilian freighter aircraft in Mobile, Alabama.

The two A330 MRTTs that completed the tanker-to-tanker refueling operations are in certification flights for Australia, one of four American allies that have selected the A330 MRTT over Boeing 767 tankers. The A330 MRTT has also successfully refueled F-16 and F/A-18 fighters, and the large, aerodynamically complex E-3 AWACS.

During the buddy refueling missions, one MRTT passed fuel from its advanced Aerial Refueling Boom System (ARBS) through the other aircraft´s Universal Aerial Refueling Receptacle Slipway Installation (UARRSI), mounted above and behind the cockpit. Both systems are identical to those offered on the KC-45 and meet U.S. Air Force performance requirements for its KC-X tanker fleet modernization program.

The KC-45 configuration also features the all-digital Cobham 900-series hose & drogue refueling pods, which have also performed numerous successful refueling operations with the A330 MRTT and probe-equipped receiver aircraft.  The A330 MRTT offers the most advanced aerial refueling systems flying in the world today. 

A total of 28 A330 MRTTs have been ordered to date, with the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates joining Australia on the customer list. Aircraft are now in tanker conversion, flight test or final certification for all four of these international customers – underscoring the tanker program’s maturity and sustained production pace.

EADS North America will build and modify the KC-45, along with A330 commercial freighters, at a new aerospace center of excellence to be constructed in Mobile, Alabama. The addition of freighter manufacturing could increase total aircraft production significantly, with an associated increase in American jobs. The KC-45 and A330 freighter will support a U.S. supplier team of more than 200 companies across America.

The first A330 jetliner is delivered to Saudi Arabia, which also is an A330 MRTT customer

Saudi Arabian Airlines has become a new operator of the A330 – the jetliner on which EADS North America’s KC-45 tanker is based – bringing this commercial aircraft to the national airline of a country that also has ordered A330 MRTTs for its military aerial refueling requirements.

The first of eight A330s was received by Saudi Arabian Airlines on May 17, bringing total deliveries for the best-selling medium/long-haul jetliner to more than 680.

The Saudi Ministry of Defense and Aviation has ordered a total of six A330 MRTTs for deliveries beginning in 2011, acquiring three of these aircraft in an original acquisition announced in 2008, followed by a repeat order for another three in 2009.

Saudi Arabia’s A330 MRTTs will incorporate EADS’ next-generation fly-by-wire Advanced Refueling Boom System on the fuselage centerline, plus two all-digital Cobham 905E hose-and-drogue refueling pods under the wings.  These two aerial refueling systems are offered by EADS North America in its KC-45 tanker proposal for recapitalization of the U.S. Air Force’s aerial refueling fleet. In addition, the KC-45 will have the fuselage refueling unit featured on MRTTs for other customer nations.

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