Conversion Begins On Second RAAF KC-30B MRTT | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-06.02.25

Airborne-NextGen-06.03.25

AirborneUnlimited-06.04.25

Airborne-AffordableFlyers-06.05.25

AirborneUnlimited-06.06.25

Mon, Jul 21, 2008

Conversion Begins On Second RAAF KC-30B MRTT

First Of Four To Be Outfitted By Qantas Defense Services

The second Royal Australian Air Force’s Multi-Role Tanker/Transport, designated the KC-30B, has begun its tanker conversion phase in preparation for the aircraft’s entry into service.

EADS North America tells ANN outfitting of the #2 RAAF KC-30B started in early June after arriving at the Qantas Australian Conversion Centre at Brisbane Airport, Australia. It is the first of four Airbus A330s to be modified to the KC-30B configuration by Qantas Engineering in Australia.

EADS has established a resident office at the Qantas facilities where a specialized staff will oversee the conversion.

The KC-30B’s outfitting procedure in Australia -- which includes the installation of EADS’ advanced Aerial Refueling Boom System (ARBS), underwing refueling pods and military mission systems -- is similar to the process planned for the US Air Force's KC-45 Tankers, should EADS be reawarded the contract.

"The start of in-country tanker conversion on the second Royal Australian MRTT marks yet another significant milestone in the KC-30B MRTT program," said John H. Young, Jr., CEO of EADS North America Tankers – a business unit of EADS North America. "The advances of this program will directly benefit the US Air Force's KC-45 Tanker program, particularly with lessons-learned as we qualify Qantas in the conversion of airframes to fully capable tankers. The high degree of commonality that the RAAF KC-30B MRTT shares with the USAF KC-45 Tanker strengthens the US team's low-risk approach."

The Royal Australian Air Force's KC-30B's use of EADS' advanced fly-by-wire ARBS and two underwing hose and drogue refueling pods will enable the Royal Australian Air Force to support its own fighters, airlifters and AWACS assets, while also offering full aerial refueling compatibility with other US, NATO and allied military aircraft.

EADS' all-electric ARBS provides 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.

The KC-30B and the KC-45 are derived from the Airbus A330 jetliner. To date, more than 940 A330s have been ordered for civil, military and government customers, and the aircraft's production rate is increasing to meet a growing international demand.

A total of five KC-30Bs have been ordered by the Royal Australian Air Force. The first RAAF aircraft already is outfitted with the full complement of aerial refueling systems, and successfully completed Phase I flight testing, as ANN reported last week.

FMI: www.eadsnorthamerica.com, www.airforce.gov.au

Advertisement

More News

Citation Operators Get Another Flight Data Connection for QA

LinxUs System Adds Capabilities for Data-Driven Operators Textron Aviation announced another option for operators processing their post-flight data, adding interoperability with GE>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (06.01.25)

Aero Linx: The de Havilland Moth Club Ltd The de Havilland Moth Club evolved from a belief that an association of owners and operators of Moth aeroplanes should be formed to create>[...]

NTSB Final Report: Bellanca 8GCBC

(Pilot) Inadvertently Applied Excessive Braking Action, And The Airplane Nosed Over Analysis: The pilot reported that, while landing at a remote, rough and uneven airstrip in a tai>[...]

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (06.01.25)

“MCADT is committed to rapidly integrating armed first-person view drones into the FMF, enhancing small-unit lethality and providing organic capabilities that warfighters cur>[...]

Classic Aero-TV: High-Speed Match-up - Venom and GE Rebirth A Legend

From 2017 (YouTube Edition): Major Engine Supplier Joins Forces With Small Aircraft Manufacturer… GE recently made an agreement with Venom Aircraft to supply engines for the>[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2025 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC