A330 MRTT - Aviation Week

PROGRAM DOSSIER
A330 MRTT
Definition: The A330 Multi-Role Tanker-Transport
(MRTT) is a European air-refueling tanker, produced by
Airbus, that reached initial operational capability (IOC) in
2011.
Features: The A330 MRTT is based on the Airbus A330200 widebody commercial jet with additional equipment
to perform aerial refueling as well as the secondary missions of military transport and aeromedical evacuation.
Powered by a pair of either General Electric CF6-80E1A3 or
Rolls Royce Trent 772B turbofans, the aircraft has a maximum cruising speed of Mach 0.86, a ferry range of 8,000 nm
(14,800 km) and a maximum takeoff weight of 514,000 lb.
(233,000 kg). The glass cockpit holds a flight crew of two,
each with a side-stick controllers for the aircraft's fly-bywire control system. An optional Defensive Aid System
(DAS) can protect the aircraft in medium-threat environments with systems including missile warners, infrared
(IR) laser jammers, cockpit armor and fuel-tank-inerting
systems.
With 245,000 lb. (111,000 kg) of fuel in its standard, internal tanks, the A330 is the first aircraft adapted for aerial refueling that did not require installation of extra fuel
bladders, enabling it to carry its full load of fuel while reserving all of its main and lower decks for passengers and
cargo. If required, the A330 MRTT can be equipped with a
Universal Aerial Refueling Receptacle Slipway Installation (UARRSI), allowing it to receive fuel in-flight from
boom-equipped tankers at 1,200 gal./min. (3,600 kg/min).
The MRTT is capable of offloading its fuel through multiple
mechanisms:
Most A330 MRTTs carry the Airbus Defense & Space (ADS)
Aerial Refueling Boom System (ARBS) to refuel receptacleequipped aircraft, at a rate of 1,200 gal./min. (3,600 kg/
min).
Unlike in earlier tanker designs, the A330 MRTT's airto-air refueling (AAR) systems are controlled by a console
in the cockpit, rather than at the rear of the aircraft, allowing better coordination with the flight crew. Situated
behind the pilots, the Air Refueling Operator (ARO) console
features an Enhanced Vision System: a set of high definition cameras that feed 2D/3D digital displays—one large
display with three smaller ones above it—to provide a
270-deg. view behind the aircraft in day, night or adverse
weather conditions. The console
can monitor details of the refueling equipment and record the refueling operations. It also includes a
second position to accommodate an
instructor or mission coordinator,
who has access to the interphone,
communication systems and mission systems. AAR and mission
data, along with a video image
of the AAR operation behind the
aircraft, also are provided to the
flight crew's console to enhance
their situational awareness.
In the transport mission, the
A330 MRTT is able to carry up to
300 troops or a payload of 99,000
lb. (45,000 kg). The upper deck is
offered in a variety of passenger
configurations. A single-class
configuration yields the 300-troop
capacity but more typical is a two-class configuration accommodating 266 passengers, with 30 in business seats
and 236 in economy. The maximum certified capacity is
380 passengers. VIP-cabin configurations also are offered
to transport fewer numbers of senior personnel in greater
comfort.
Even with all AAR systems installed, the A330 MRTT
provides as much cargo volume as a C-130 and as much payload as the A400M. The A330-200 fuselage includes three
lower-deck cargo compartments (forward, aft and bulk)
with a maximum usable volume of 4,200 ft3 (120 m3). This
lower deck can accommodate a variety of pallet loads, including eight 463-L (88 x108 in.) NATO pallets plus one LD3
container and one LD6 container; or 25 LD3s. While configuring the main deck for cargo stowage would yield another
11,830 ft3 (335 m3) of contiguous space (enough for 26 NATO
pallets), none of the A330 MRTTs currently in service or on
order have cargo doors installed on the main deck, and the
COPYRIGHT © 2015 PENTON
PROGRAM DOSSIER
A330 MRTT, Continued
current decks are not capable of handling large pallets or
containers.
In the aeromedical-evacuation role, the A330 MRTT can
accommodate up to 130 NATO stretchers on its main deck.
Other confi gurations are available to allow more intensive care for a smaller number of patients. The option also
exists to install medical beds over designated fold-down
seats to allow mixed confi gurations.
ADS is planning to offer a new version of the tanker
based on an updated commercial Airbus A330-200/300 that
features a series of structural and aerodynamic modifications, including changes to the wing slats and fl aps, as well
as introduction of the Power-8 avionics computers. Delivery of green aircraft in new confi guration is planned for
summer 2015, for which a tanker-transport conversion
will commence in September. First fl ight is scheduled for
July 2016, and deliveries to customers will commence in
2017.
Production and Delivery Status: As of March 31, 2015,
six nations—France, the U.K, Saudi Arabia, the United
Arab Emirates, Singapore and Australia—had ordered a
combined 35 A330 MRTTs, of which 24 had been delivered.
In addition, France was expected to increase its order by
11 and the aircraft had been selected by India, Qatar, and a
joint venture of the Netherlands, Norway and Poland to fi ll
requirements totaling another 12 aircraft.
The UK operates its A330 MRTTs (nicknamed “Voyager”
locally) under a leasing arrangement with AirTanker, a
private consortium of Airbus, Rolls-Royce, Thales, Cobham
and Babcock. The company has 14 aircraft on order, with
11 delivered as of March 31, 2015. The remaining aircraft
are due to be delivered by 2016. These aircraft took over the
Royal Air Force (RAF) refueling role from the Vickers VC10 and Lockheed Tristar, which were retired in September
2013 and March 2014, respectively.
—Dan Katz
All Program Dossier data are excerpted from
the Aviation Week Intelligence Network
(awin.aviationweek.com). To learn how to
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Specifications: A330 MRTT
Designation:
A330 MRTT, KC-30 (Australia)
Name:
Multi-Role Tanker Transport, Voyager (U.K.), Phoenix (France), KC-30 (Australia)
Manufacturer:
Airbus
Category/Type:
Air-Refueling Tanker
Crew:
3 - 2 pilots, 1 Air Refueling Operator
1 Mission Planning System Operator (optional)
8 Cabin Crew (optional)
IOC:
2011 (U.K.), 2012 (Australia), 2013 (Saudi Arabia)
Dimensions and Weights
Length:
193 ft. (58.80 m)
Wingspan:
198 ft. (60.30 m)
Height:
57 ft. (17.40 m)
Wing Area:
3,897 ft2 (362 m2)
Weight (max take-off):
514,000 lb. (233,000 kg)
Fuel Capacity:
245,000 lb. (111,000 kg)
Max Transfer Fuel Load:
245,000 lb. (111,000 kg)
Cargo Capacity:
99,000 lb. (45,000 kg)
Cargo Volume and Dimensions [max LxWxH]:
Lower Deck: 4,200 ft3 (120 m3) in three compartments:
Forward: 38 ft. 9 in. x 13 ft. 8 in. x 5 ft. 7 in. (11.80m x 4.15 m x 1.70 m)
Aft: 33 ft. 5 in. x 13 ft. 8 in. x 5 ft. 6 in. (10.20m x 4.15m x 1.65m)
Bulk: 13 ft. 3 in. x 12 ft. 6 in. x 5 ft. 12 in. (4.00m x 3.80m x 1.80m)
Main Deck: 11,800 ft3 (335m3): 134 ft. 8 in. x 17 ft. 4 in. x 8 ft. (41.00m x 5.30m x
2.45m)
Pallet Positions:
Lower Deck: 8 x 463-L, 1 x LD3, 1 x LD6; or 27 x LD3
Upper Deck: 26 x 463L
Aeromedical Evacuation Passengers
130 litters
Performance
Engines:
General Electric CF6-80E1A3 x 2
Rolls Royce Trent 772B
Thrust:
72,000 lb. (320 kN) each (CF6-80E1A3)
71,000 lb. (316 kN) each (Trent 772B)
Takeoff Distance at MTOW:
9,200 ft. (2,800m) [Sea Level, ISA]
10,000 ft. (3,000 m) [2,000 ft., ISA]
Max Cruise Speed:
Mach 0.86
Typical Cruise Speed:
Mach 0.82
Service Ceiling:
41,500 ft. (12,600 m)
Range:
3,800 nm (7,000 km) [ISA+15]
with 40 Tonnes Payload
4,500 nm (8,400 km) [ISA+15]
with 30 Tonnes Payload
5,500 nm (10,200 km) [ISA+15]
with 20 Tonnes Payload
6,500 nm (12,000 km) [ISA+15]
with 10 Tonnes Payload
7,500 nm (13,900 km) [ISA+15]
Ferry Range
8,000 nm (14,800 km) [ISA+15]
Source: Aviation Week Intelligence Network
Continued
COPYRIGHT © 2015 PENTON
prepared by Dan Katz
with Maximum Payload
Specifications: A330 MRTT
Refueling Envelope:
Ceiling:
35,000 ft. (10,700 m)
Speed:
180-325 kt CAS
Radar:
Standard Weather radar
Radar Warning Receiver:
None
Chaff/Flare Dispensers:
None
prepared by Dan Katz
Avionics
Source: Aviation Week Intelligence Network
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