The first Airbus A330 had arrived in Australia for conversion to a KC-30B Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) under Project AIR 5402.

The aircraft, which is the first of four Airbus A330s to be modified in Australia, arrived at the Qantas Australian Conversion Centre at Brisbane Airport after departing the Airbus facility in Toulouse, France.

An induction ceremony involving the prime contractor, EADS CASA, and Qantas Defence Services was held to mark the occasion. Also present were representatives of State Government, Defence Materiel Organisation, and senior Royal Australian Air Force leadership including the Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Geoff Shepherd.

Project AIR 5402 will replace the RAAF’s Boeing 707 and enhance the air-to-air refuelling capability of the Australian Defence Force. Under the project, five new-generation KC-30B MRTTs capable of refuelling current and future aircraft are to be supplied.

The KC-30B has a significant strategic airlift capability, carrying a fuel load of up to 111 tonnes, along with 270 passengers, and a combination of commercial and military cargo pallets in an under-floor cargo compartment.

“The KC-30B will be equipped with two wing-tip mounted ‘hose-and-drogue’ refuelling pods, one refuelling boom in the tail, as well as defensive countermeasure equipment.

The MRTT aircraft conversion process is a very complex process. Under the process there will be modification of approximately 2000 structural parts and 5500 system parts, nearly 22,000 components delivered to the conversion centre; and installation of over 400 new wiring harnesses with a total of 58km of new cabling.