The first Airbus Military A330 MRTT for the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) has successfully completed its maiden flight lasting 4hr 15min.

The crew reported that the aircraft, its systems and two General Electric CF6 engines performed entirely satisfactorily.

Following the 15th March flight the aircraft now enters the final certification and qualification phase for this version of the A330 MRTT leading to contractual delivery later this year. The second RSAF aircraft is already in conversion at the company’s Getafe site (close to Madrid, Spain) and the third will begin the process in mid-year.

Prior to this flight, five A330 MRTTs had already flown. Those include three for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), and two for the UK Royal Air Force. Two of the aircraft are already technically complete and ready for delivery to the RAAF in Getafe, pending finalisation of contractual discussion.

The picture shows the first A330 MRTT for the RSAF landing at Getafe.

Airbus military press release