The RAAF's new Airbus A330 multi-role transport tanker.
Posted on 10/12/2010 4:18:18 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
RAAF to get new Airbus tanker, capable of carrying cargo, troops or refuelling
Mard Dodd
From: The Australian
MILITARY certification has been given for the RAAF's new multi-role tanker, paving the way for the delivery of the Airbus aircraft under a $1.4 billion contract running a year late. The RAAF has provisionally accepted one of a five-aircraft order with two more of the advanced tanker planes to be delivered by mid-November, a spokesman for Australian Aerospace told The Australian Online.
The wide-body aircraft have been specially modified for air-to-air refuelling and personnel transport.
To be known as the KC-30A, the latest addition to the RAAF's fleet will be able to carry 45 tonnes of cargo or 300 troops, in addition to refuelling fast jets using two underwing hose and drogue pods.
“This is an enormously gratifying moment for all. It confirms the A330 MRTT has satisfactorily demonstrated its global military airworthiness and the maturity of all its systems, and its full readiness to enter service with its customers,” Airbus Military said in a statement.
Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar. .End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar. The aircraft, regarded as the most advanced of its type in the world, has also been ordered by the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Britain.
Aircraft delivery was delayed due to a non-contract request by the RAAF for the installation of two interior consoles for the boom operators.
One other hurdle has to be overcome - installation of the plane's self-defence measures, work the US government says must be done in America due to sensitivity about the cutting-edge technology.
The RAAF's new Airbus A330 multi-role transport tanker.
Is this the one they’re trying to peddle to the Air Force?
Do the French ever buy any of our gear?
They use E-2C's on their carrier.
They probably buy more US equipment than the other way around-E-2,E-3 aircraft,catapults,bombs, anti-tank missiles to name a few.
Not to mention the KC-135 or C-130 which they operate just to add.
The KC-30/45 is a good airplane and the USAF chose it outright upon the merits and it requirements. Politics not in the way, the USAF would be going through the final phases of procurement negotiations and NG would be well into the process of setting-up assembly in Alabama. Politics being what it is, it’s a tangled mess with all manner of “do over” competitions and business as usual......
“It wasn’t until the Dassault Rafale became operational that the French had their own indigenous supersonic fighter for their carrier Charles de Gaulle.”
Oh, an airplane has actually landed and taken off from the Charles de Gaulle? Did not know that...
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