KC-30 air-to-air animation
The A330 MRTT is based on the latest, successful, ‘big twin’ aircraft of the Airbus fly-by-wire family. The huge basic fuel capacity of the standard A330-200 means that no additional tanks are needed to give air-to-air refuelling performance that far exceeds its nearest competitors.
As it does not need auxiliary fuel tanks, the entire cargo bay is available for use, with the possibility of incorporating LD3 or LD6 containers, military pallets or any other type of load adapted to the plane.
The A330 MRTT is being assessed for mission requirements throughout the world, including the USA. In particular, the A330 MRTT has been selected as the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft for the UK Royal Air Force, and has also been chosen for the Royal Australian Air Force, with a contract for five aircraft signed in December 2004.
The A330 MRTT can be provided with a combination of wing pod and/or fuselage hose and drogue units and/or the EADS CASA advanced refuelling boom system (ARBS). A boom operator and mission planning station can be located in the cockpit and includes remote controls with an enhanced 2D/3D vision system.
