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- Saab delivers fourth GlobalEye to the UAE
- Birds of Goodness executes 37th humanitarian aid airdrop in north Gaza
- Birds of Goodness executes 36th humanitarian aid airdrop in north Gaza
- Birds of Goodness executes 35th humanitarian aid airdrop in north Gaza
- Led by the Commander of Joint Operations .. A delegation from the Ministry of Defense, has initiated several-day visit to the People's Republic of China
- Birds of Goodness executes 34th humanitarian aid airdrop in north Gaza
- Birds of Goodness' executes 33rd humanitarian aid airdrop in north Gaza
- Birds of Goodness delivers over 2,000 tonnes of aid via 32 airdrops since humanitarian operation began
- On the 2nd day of Eid al-Fitr... Birds of Goodness Executes 31st Humanitarian Airdrop and Eid Clothing in North Gaza
- On the first day of Eid Al-Fitr,UAE and Jordan conduct 14th joint food aid airdrop in northern Gaza
- UAE and Jordan conduct 13th joint food aid airdrop in northern Gaza
- 'Birds of Goodness' Executes 29th Humanitarian Aid Airdrop and Eid Clothing in North Gaza.
- UAE and Jordan conduct 12th joint food aid airdrop in northern Gaza
- 'Birds of Goodness' Executes 28th Humanitarian Aid Airdrop and Eid Clothing in North Gaza
- UAE and Jordan conduct 11th joint food aid airdrop in northern Gaza
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- 'Birds of Goodness' executes 26th humanitarian aid airdrop in north Gaza
- 'Birds of Goodness' executes 25th humanitarian aid airdrop in north Gaza
- UAE and Jordan conduct 10th joint food aid airdrop in northern Gaza
- 'Birds of Goodness' executes 24th humanitarian aid airdrop in north Gaza
2019-11-14
A330 MRTT: The Multi-mission Force Multiplier of Militaries
The A330 MRTT, based on the successful A330-200 airliner, is a multi-role new-generation tanker, combat-proven and with unique capabilities. As a new-generation tanker, the A330 MRTT is a replacement for older aircraft under fleet replacement programmes. With 60 total aircraft sales as of October 2019, the Royal Air Force, French Air Force, and Republic of Korea Air Force have ordered the A330 MRTT, among others. Named Voyager in service with the Royal Air Force, the aircraft entered into service in the UK in 2012. The first French Air Force A330 MRTT Phénix (as it is known in the French service) was delivered to the Istres air base in south-eastern France, in 2018.
With its true widebody fuselage, the A330 MRTT can carry any kind of military or humanitarian payload on strategic missions. For example, it can accommodate 266 passengers in a typical two-class configuration or some 300 in a single-class layout.
The aircraft is capable of carrying a payload of up to 45-tonnes/99,000 lb. The versatility of the A330 MRTT enables cargo to be conveniently stored inside the lower deck in a variety of cargo options covering the full range of existing under-floor cargo containers and pallets, ranging from the LD1 to LD3 to LD6, as well as the standard 88×108 inch 463-L NATO military pallets. Some of the cargo can also be carried as non-palletised “bulk.” Commercial containers and pallets as well as military equipment and other large items are loaded through a cargo door.
The A330 MRTT also serves as a strategic aeromedical evacuation (MedEvac) aircraft. Its large fuselage permits maximum flexibility for up to 130 NATO stretchers to be carried over intercontinental distances. In a “light medevac” configuration, medical beds can be installed above designated fold-down seats. This allows the aircraft to be used as a troop transport on an outbound relief mission, with medical beds stowed in the lower cargo compartments, and then rapidly converted for MedEvac on the return. In an “Intensive MedEvac” configuration, critical care modules can be installed to replicate an intensive care unit in the air. The aircraft could typically carry 28 NATO stretchers, up to six critical care modules, 20 seats for medical staff, and 100 passenger seats.
Increased Flexibility
The A330 MRTT’s fuel capacity reportedly allows it to offload more fuel at any given distance than other competitors. More fuel on-board means more flexibility, more range and longer time on station. Its enormous fuel capacity allows the A330 MRTT to act as a force multiplier, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of fast jets operations.
The A330 MRTT can carry up to 111 tonnes of fuel; this is the highest capacity of all tanker aircraft, even those with additional fuel tanks in the cargo deck. It has the capacity of offloading 50,000 kg of fuel to a broad range of receivers during a four-hour loitering mission at over 1,000 nm from its take-off point. Its refuelling systems include:
Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS): To refuel receptacle-equipped aircraft such as the F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-35A Lightning II, or even the A330 MRTT itself (when fitted with a Universal Aerial Refuelling Receptacle Slipway Installation, UARRSI), the A330 MRTT is provided with the advanced Airbus Defence and Space Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS).
Its fast fuel flow rate (up to a maximum of 3,600 kg/min – 1,200 US gal/min) makes the ARBS the most capable new-generation flight-proven boom available. Excellent handling qualities are provided for the operation of the ARBS, rated as such by independent assessments.
Fuselage Refuelling Unit (FRU): Large probe-equipped aircraft such as the A400M or C295 can be refuelled at a high fuel offload rate of 1,800 kg/min – 600 US gal/min via the Cobham 805E Fuselage Refuelling Unit (FRU).
The FRU, a removable hose and drogue unit, allows refuelling receivers with a different fuel type. This option ensures NATO fuel type is transferred from wing-pods, while an alternative fuel type is dispensed from the FRU.
Those air-to-air refuelling (AAR) systems are controlled from an advanced Fuel Operator Console that is positioned in the cockpit, increasing the safety of the AAR operation by ensuring a timely and synchronised reaction of the flight crew to unexpected events. It also features an Enhanced Vision System, a high definition 2D/3D digital system that enables performing day and night refuelling and can provide high-resolution video recording of the refuelling operations.
Hose and Drogue Refuelling: Under-wing pods provide simultaneous hose and drogue refuelling at high fuel offload rate (1,300 kg/min – 420 US gal/min), allowing receivers to minimise refuelling time and increase operation efficiency.
The Cobham 905E under-wing pods, currently in service and proven in operation, enable the A330 MRTT to refuel any NATO or allied probe-equipped receivers such as the Eurofighter, the Tornado, the Jaguar, the F/A18 Hornet or the Sukhoi 30. The A330 MRTT physical compatibility with receivers across the world is established, demonstrated and certified to allow coalition interoperability.
The 900 series wing-pods incorporate a digitally controlled and electrically operated hose drum unit, optimising reliability and maintainability.
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