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The
sight you might see in the not-too-distant future: an A330
refuels a JSF.
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The
A330
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Refuelling
Capacity:
111 tonnes Offload performance: 65 tonnes at 1000nm
from base with 2 hours on station
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Dimensions
Overall length:
58.8m Wing span: 60.3m Height: 17.38m
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Weights
Maximum take-off weight:
233 tonnes Maximum landing weight: 180 tonnes
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Engine
Power:
32,659kg thrust
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Five
new air-to-air refuelling aircraft will replace
the B707 from late 2008.
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The
A330 MRTT will support a wider range of aircraft
and boost passenger and cargo capability.
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No.
33 Squadron will operate the A330 and RAAF Base
Amberley is considered to be the main operating
base.
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DEFENCE
has signed a $1.4 billion contract with Spanish company EADS CASA
to supply the Air Force with five new air-to-air refuelling aircraft
that No. 33 Squadron will operate.
The aircraft, to replace the Boeing 707, will be known as the
multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) and will significantly upgrade
the Air Force’s air-to-air refuelling capabilities.
With a fuel capacity 50 per cent greater than the B707, the A330
MRTT will be able to offload 90,000 litres of fuel while on station
at 1000 nautical miles from base.
Two A330 MRTTs can escort a squadron of F/A-18s with the required
support personnel and equipment from the east to west coasts of
Australia.
This currently requires three B707 and two C-130 aircraft to perform
the same function. The A330 MRTT will be fitted with an advanced
“boom” refuelling system as well as a hose and drogue system,
similar to that employed on the B707.
The “boom” will enable the A330 MRTT to refuel the Wedgetail Airborne
Early Warning and Control, Joint Strike Fighter and F-111, while
the hose will support the F/A-18.
The inclusion of the “boom” system allows Australia to support
a wider range of coalition aircraft, increasing opportunities
for joint exercises and international operations.
The A330 MRTT also represents a significant increase in the ADF’s
passenger/troop transport capability. The aircraft can carry up
to 272 passengers, compared with 152 passengers for the B707.
The lower holds of the aircraft can carry cargo in either military
pallets or commercial containers.
It can also accommodate eight standard military pallets or 26
civil LD3 containers. Based on the Airbus A330-200 civil airliner,
the A330 MRTT will be modified for air-to-air refuelling, military
avionics and electronic warfare self-protection systems.
Delivery of the five aircraft will be phased over two years, starting
from late 2008.
Operations
will start with two aircraft in the second half of 2009 with the
remaining aircraft entering service by the end of 2010. The Air
Lift Group will manage the refuellers’ transition into service.
Transition team director Group Captain Stephen Bucholtz said the
establishment of a transition team at the outset underpinned Air
Force commitment to the tanker program.
“This will enable Air Force to more effectively manage the exceedingly
complex task of implementing a new weapon system and achieve the
required level of capability in an acceptable time frame,” he
said, also noting the proposed move of No. 33 Squadron from Richmond.
While a final decision for the location of the A330 MRTT has not
been made, for planning purposes, RAAF Base Amberley is considered
to be the main operating base.
