A red carpet roll-in

Volume 48, No. 12, July 13, 2006
By SQNLDR Gregory Maguire

TAPAS AT TOUCH-DOWN: The first of Air Force’s five new MRTT aircraft arrives at the EADS CASA facility in Madrid, Spain.

AIR Force’s tanker fleet took a step forward on June 2 when the first of its five Airbus A330-200 aircraft arrived at the purpose-built EADS CASA facility in Madrid, Spain, for conversion to its multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) configuration.

Resplendent in its Air Force livery, the aircraft was welcomed by Air Force, DMO, Australian Embassy and EADS CASA representatives at a ceremony at the facility.

AVM Clive Rossiter, Head of DMO’s Aerospace Systems Division, said the roll-in of the A330 MRTT represented an important, tangible milestone in the program.

“The A330 MRTT will provide a dramatic improvement over the ageing B707 and this event signifies an important start to the conversion and testing activities,” AVM Rossiter said.

The conversion of the aircraft to the MRTT configuration will take place over the next nine months. It will culminate in the start of the EADS CASA test program in the second quarter of 2007.

During conversion, the aircraft will be fitted out with advanced aerial refuelling systems, comprising a “fly-by-wire” boom refuel system and all-electric probe-and-drogue systems.

Advanced mission systems will also be fitted. They include the Link 16 real-time data-link, military communications and navigation suites, and an electronic warfare self-protection system for protection against threats from surface-to-air missiles.

The remaining four aircraft will be converted by Qantas in Australia.

The new aircraft’s aerial refuelling capabilities will be complemented by the inherent air logistics capabilities of the Airbus A330-200. In its air logistics role, the MRTT will be capable of carrying 270 passengers in three cabin zones on the main deck.

The under-floor cargo compartments will be able to accommodate 34,000kgs of military and civilian cargo pallets and containers.

The five new aircraft will be operated by 33SQN. The squadron will relocate to Amberley and take delivery of the first aircraft in early 2009. Initial Operational Capability is expected by the end of 2009, following clearance of Air Force receiver types – including the MRTT, Australian Military Type Certification and Service Release, and training of initial crews and support personnel.

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