Airbus A330 MRTT

The Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) is a European aerial refueling and military transport aircraft derived from the civilian Airbus A330. A total of 15 countries have placed firm orders for approximately 78 aircraft, with 60 delivered by 30 June 2024. A version of the A330 MRTT, the EADS/Northrop Grumman KC-45, was initially selected by the United States Air Force for its aerial tanker replacement program, but the program was later canceled.

The A330 MRTT is a military adaptation of the A330-200 airliner, designed for dual-role air-to-air refueling and transport. It can be equipped with various refueling systems, including the Airbus Military Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS) for receptacle-equipped receiver aircraft, Cobham 905E under-wing refueling pods for probe-equipped receiver aircraft, and the Cobham 805E Fuselage Refuelling Unit (FRU) for probe-equipped receiver aircraft. It also features the Universal Aerial Refuelling Receptacle Slipway Installation (UARRSI) for self in-flight refueling.

The A330 MRTT can carry a maximum fuel capacity of 111,000 kg (245,000 lb) without additional fuel tanks, leaving room for 45,000 kg (99,000 lb) of extra cargo. The wing structure is shared with the four-engine A340-200/-300, requiring minimal modifications for the wing refueling pods. The cabin can be configured to carry up to 380 passengers in a single-class layout, with various configurations available for troop transport, VIP missions, or Medical Evacuation (Medevac) missions, accommodating up to 130 standard stretchers. The main deck cargo configuration allows for the transport of standard commercial containers, military pallets, and other large items through a cargo door.

An optional crew rest compartment can be installed to extend mission duration, and removable airstairs can be provided for passenger embarkation and disembarkation without ground support equipment. Standard commercial A330-200s are delivered from Airbus’s Final Assembly Line in Toulouse, France, to the Airbus Military Conversion Centre in Getafe, Spain, for refueling systems and military avionics installation. The tanker was certified by Spanish authorities in October 2010, and the first delivery to the Royal Australian Air Force occurred in June 2011.

In September 2016, Airbus Defence and Space completed the first flight of the new standard A330 MRTT, featuring structural modifications, aerodynamic improvements, upgraded avionics, and enhanced military systems. The first delivery of this new standard was planned for 2018. An Airbus/Saab team proposed an A330-based Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) variant to the UK’s Ministry of Defence in 2018.

The boom operators use a video console with the Boom Enhanced Vision System, employing a 3D camera vision system for improved day and night vision and ergonomics.

In November 2023, Airbus began studies for an updated MRTT based on the A330neo, as A330-200 production ended in 2018. The new variant, named MRTT+, was announced at the 2024 Farnborough Air Show. Based on the A330-800 and powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, the MRTT+ achieves 8% better fuel efficiency than the original MRTT.