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The Airbus
A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) is an aerial refuelling tanker
aircraft based on the civilian A330-200.
The A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) is a military derivative
of the Airbus A330 airliner. It is designed as a dual-role air
refuelling tanker and cargo transport aircraft. The wing air
refuelling pods are supplied by Cobham. The cargo hold has been
modified by Telair to be able to transport military pallets in
addition to civilian ULD.
The A330 has a large internal fuel capacity of 111,000 kg / 122 tons
in the wings; fuel capacity can be further increased with underfloor
tanks, which would not compromise main deck cargo capacity or seating
in the strategic transport role. Standard fuel capacity allows the
carriage of an additional 43,000 kg of cargo. Another major benefit of
the A330 MRTT is the use of the same wing as the four engined
A340-200/-300. This allows the A330 MRTT to use the two extra
hardpoints of the A340 wing for the placement of refuelling pods.
The A330 MRTT has been selected by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF)
(5 aircraft), as well as the UK under the RAF's Future Strategic
Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) project (possibly 10 aircraft), to take the
place of older tanker aircraft. In both cases the A330 MRTT competed
against the Boeing 767 AAR derivative. The RAF will replace its ageing
Vickers VC10 and Lockheed Tristar based tankers, while the RAAF is
replacing its veteran 707 tanker/transports. Further orders were
announced in 2007 from the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia for
three and two aircraft respectively.
The RAF aircraft will operate solely in the probe and drogue role,
while Australia's five airframes will also be equipped with a
refuelling boom.
A330 TANKER Specifications |
Type |
Dual Role tanker
and passenger aircraft |
Manufacturer |
Airbus |
Accommodation |
3 crew and up to 290
passenger |
Armament |
None |
Performance |
Max speed 600km/h |
Wing Span |
60.30m |
Length |
59.69m |
Height |
17.89m |
Weight |
weight empty 120,500kg, max take off weight
230,000kg, payload, 61,300kg, six NATO pallets |
Powerplant |
two Rolls-Royce Trent 772B
with 71,100lb thrust each |
Photo Copyright
EADS
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