Airbus A330-200MRTT Tanker

Airbus A330-200MRTT

Australian Air Force A330-MRTT at Le Bourget 2007 (c) 2007 ZAPP

Australian Air Force A330-MRTT at Le Bourget 2007 (c) 2007 ZAPP

 One of the greatest attributes of the Airbus A330 as a tanker aircraft is its massive internal fuel capacity, the 111.000 kg / 122 tons of fuel is held in the wings which leaves the lower deck available for cargo. With under floor tanks the fuel capacity can be further increased while retaining main deck cargo capacity or seating for strategic transport. The A330-200MRTT can be fitted with a variety of refueling options, from a new air refueling boom system developed by EADS or two wing pods, to a combination of wing pods and a center fuselage refueling unit (hose and drogue) and/or boom system. 

  • The fly-by-wire technology boom is 11,28 m. long, and it extends to a length of 17,68 m. for refueling, transfer rate of 4.542 liter/min at a pressure of 50 psi. Boom operations are managed from a station in the cockpit. The operator’s position is optimized for man-machine interface and utilizes a 3-D stereoscopic enhanced vision system for day/night boom operation.

  • The under fuselage centerline hose & drogue unit delivers fuel though an 25,91 m.-long hose, with an off-load rate 2.271 liter/min at a pressure of 50 psi.

  • Two under wing pods have a transfer rate of 1.590 liter/min at a pressure of 50 psi., and their hoses extend to a distance of 27,43 m.

The Airbus A330-200MRTT is on order by Australia (RAAF) 5, and selected by the UK (RAF). 

Australia

The five new aircraft will be capable of refueling F/A-18, F-111, Airborne Early Warning and Control and Joint Strike Fighter aircraft. The A330-200 MRTT’s have a significant strategic air lift capacity when not engaged in aerial refueling tasks, including the ability to carry 293 passengers and a significant amount of cargo. The Royal Australian Air Force has chosen for the General Electric CF6-80E1A4 engine.

United Kingdom

 

Royal Air Force: probably 16 Airbus A330-200MRTT with Rolls-Royce Trent 772B engine.
The Royal Air Force is seeking a replacement for its current fleet of 19 VC10s and 6 Lockheed Tri-Star tankers in a privately operated solution. 

Developing nation: Europe.
Manufacturer/designer:  EADS – Airbus Industries.
Production line: Toulouse – Blagnac, France.
Type aircraft: – A330-200MRTT Aerial tanker and transport.
First flight:

– A330-200 August 13, 1997 (c/n.181) F-WWKA.

– A330-200MRTT ?
First delivery:

– A330-200 April 30, 1998 to Canada 3000.
  Airbus A330-200MRTT
Cockpit crew: Two pilots and two boom-operators.
Passengers single class: 380.
Passengers two class:

– 30 business class.

– 263 economy class.
Aero medical evacuation: 130 stretchers or 70 stretchers and 6 intensive care units.
Cabin length: 45,00 m.
Cabin diameter: 5,28 m.
Cabin height: 2,54 m.
Cargo volume:

– Under floor 136 m³.
LD3 Containers in belly: 26.
Standard 2,24m x 3,17m pallets:

– in belly 8 with 2 LD3 Containers.
NATO pallets 2,24m x 2,75m:  34.
Wing span: 60,30 m with winglets.
Wing area: 361,60 m².
Wing sweep: 30 degrees.
Fuselage length: 59,00 m.
Fuselage diameter: 5,64 m.
Height: 17,40 m.
Wheelbase: 22,20 m.
Track: 10,69 m.
Engines:

– Two General Electric CF6-80E1A4 rated 297.44 kN.

– Two Rolls-Royce Trent 772B rated 315.9 kN.
Weight:

– Empty: 120.520 Kg.

– Max. zero-fuel weight:170.070 Kg.

– Fuel: 139.090 liter.

– Max. payload: 48.988 Kg.
Max. take off weight: 239.950 Kg.
Max. landing weight: 181.982 Kg.
Cruise speed: 860 km/h.
Max. speed: 880 km/h.
Service ceiling: 11.887 m.
Max. ceiling: 12.497 m.
Max. range: 13.057 km.
Centerline flying boom: 11,28 m. long, extends to a length of 17,68 m, rated 4.542 liter/min at a pressure of 50 psi.
Centerline hose drum unit: 25,91 m long, rated 2.271 liter/min at a pressure of 50 psi.
Under wing pods (x2) 27,43 m long, rated 1.590 liter/min at a pressure of 50 psi.
Wing tank: 91.298 liter.
Center Tank: 41.559 liter.
Trim Tank: 6.230 liter.

                                                        

 

Airbus A330-200MRTT production:

 

Airbus A330-200MRTT, 1 built, 1 active, 5 on order, at November 2004.

 

 

 Airbus A330-200MRTT:
5 – Airbus A330-200MRTT, GE CF6-80E1A2.

 

 

  

Airbus A330 military orders:
Royal Australian Air Force.

5 – A330-200MRTT

 

 

Research : R.Vogelaar