KC-30 MRTT Due For Delivery Next Year
The Royal Australian Air Force’s first KC-30B Multi-role
Tanker/Transport is being readied for its final phase of ground and
flight testing, which will clear the way for a 2009 delivery.
The KC-30B successfully completed Phase I flight testing in just
three months earlier this year. During Phase I, the MRTT flight
envelope was explored and expanded, aerodynamic and performance
data gathered, and aircraft handling qualities validated with the
full-up aerial refueling boom and wing pod systems installed. The
KC-30B achieved all Phase I objectives, including demonstration
that the modified aircraft is free from buffet and flutter
throughout the flight envelope. The Phase 1 testing obtained all
test data required to support civil certification by the European
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
"The success of the KC-30B’s outfitting, flight testing
and performance validation effort reflects the outstanding
partnership between EADS, led by the Military Transport Aircraft
Division of EADS, and the Royal Australian Air Force as we continue
toward delivery of the first two aircraft next year," said John H.
Young, Jr., CEO of EADS North America Tankers. "The significant
advances of this program, in both development and manufacturing,
will directly benefit the Northrop Grumman KC-45 Tanker and their
customer, the US Air Force."
During the upcoming Phase II evaluations, the KC-30B will
continue the ground and flight test program, leading to final
military certification and qualification. Preparations for Phase II
testing included the installation of an updated state-of-the-art
Boom Enhanced Visual System (BEVS), the addition of the
KC-30B’s Remote Aerial Refueling Operator (RARO) console and
installation of military avionics systems.
In parallel, the transition of military tanker conversion to
Australia for the subsequent KC-30Bs continues on schedule. Earlier
this month, the Royal Australian Air Force’s second A330
departed the Airbus final assembly line in Toulouse, France and
arrived at the Qantas Australian Conversion Center at Brisbane
Airport. This aircraft will be the first of four KC-30Bs to undergo
military conversion to full tanker configuration in Australia.
The RAAF KC-30B is equipped with the EADS fly-by-wire Aerial
Refueling Boom System (ARBS), along with two underwing hose and
drogue refueling pods. The advanced centerline boom and
underwing pod combination enables the Royal Australian Air Force to
support its own fighters, airlifters and AWACS assets, while also
offering full aerial refueling compatibility with US, NATO and
allied military aircraft.
EADS' all-electric ARBS provides highly accurate, reliable
in-flight refueling, with a maximum nominal fuel flow rate of 1,200
US gallons per minute. A high resolution, panoramic and 3D-vision
surveillance system enables the boom operator to remotely control
boom operations from the cockpit during air-to-air refueling during
daylight or nighttime operations.
Five KC-30Bs have been ordered by Australia. These aircraft have
a high degree of commonality with the Northrop Grumman KC-45
tanker, which is once again duking it out with the Boeing KC-767
for the lucrative USAF KC-X tanker contract.
In addition to its acquisition by the Royal Australian Air
Force, the Airbus A330-based tanker also has been selected by the
air forces of the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Saudi
Arabia, and the United States, having been consecutively selected
in the last 5 international competitions for next-generation aerial
refueling aircraft.