Aircrafttotal Encyclopedia


General information
Type	Multi-role tanker/transport
Manufacturer	Airbus Defence and Space
Status	In service
Primary users	Royal Air Force French Air and Space Force Royal Netherlands Air Force See Operators section for others
Number built	64 as of 31 March 2025
History
Manufactured	2007–present
Introduction date	1 June 2011
First flight	15 June 2007
Developed from	Airbus A330
Variants	Airbus CC-330 Husky EADS/Northrop Grumman KC-45

The Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) is a European aerial refuelling and military transport aircraft based on the civilian Airbus A330. A total of 16 countries have placed firm orders for approximately 68 aircraft, of which 51 had been delivered by 30 November 2020. A version of the A330 MRTT, the EADS/Northrop Grumman KC-45, was proposed to the United States Air Force for its aerial tanker replacement programme and selected, but the programme was cancelled.

Design and development

Starboard refuelling pod on a Royal Air Force (RAF) Voyager

The Airbus A330 MRTT is a military derivative of the A330-200 airliner. It is designed as a dual-role air-to-air refuelling and transport aircraft. For air-to-air refuelling missions, the A330 MRTT can be equipped with a combination of any of the following systems:

Refuelling other aircraft
- Airbus Military Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS) for receptacle-equipped receiver aircraft.
- Cobham 905E under-wing refuelling pods for probe-equipped receiver aircraft.
- Cobham 805E Fuselage Refuelling Unit (FRU) for probe-equipped receiver aircraft
Being refuelled
- Universal Aerial Refuelling Receptacle Slipway Installation (UARRSI) for self in-flight refuelling.

wing refuelling pods

Airbus Transport

Airbus Industries S.A.
Airbus A330-MRTT Voyager
Manufactured 2007–present
First flight 15 June 2007

General characteristics

Crew: 3: 2 pilots, 1 AAR operator
Capacity: Various passenger configurations are available including 291 passengers (United Kingdom)^[192] and 8 military pallets + 1LD6 container + 1 LD3 container (lower deck cargo compartments)
Payload: 45,000 kg (99,000 lb) non-fuel payload
Length: 58.80 m (193 ft)
Wingspan: 60.3 m (198 ft)
Height: 17.4 m (57 ft)
Wing area: 362 m² (3,900 ft²)

Powerplants

Empty weight: 125,000 kg
Max takeoff weight: 233,000 kg
Powerplant: 2× Rolls-Royce Trent 772B, General Electric CF6-80E1A4, or Pratt & Whitney PW 4170; turbofans, 320 kN (72,000 lbf) 320 kN each
Fuel capacity: 111,000 kg (245,000 lb) max, 65,000 kg (143,000 lb) at 1,000 nmi (1852 km) with 2 hours on station

Specifications

Maximum speed: 880 km/h (475 knots, 547 mph)
Cruise speed: 860 km/h (464 knots, 534 mph)
Combat radius: 1,800 km (972 nmi) with 50 tonnes of fuel for 4 hours^[193]
Ferry range: 14,800 km (8,000 nmi) maximum
Service ceiling: 13,000 m (42,700 ft)

Aircraft of comparable role

Special Links Airbus Industries,
Airbus A330-MRTT Voyager

Links to Youtube & Others

The A330 MRTT has been ordered by Australia, France, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Canada, and by NATO in a multi-nation deal. Australia was the launch customer for the A330 MRTT.

Airbus A330-MRTT Voyager

The boom operators sit at a video console using the Boom Enhanced Vision System.

Youtube Link

Designated as KC-30A, the RAAF A330 MRTTs are equipped with both an Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS)[10] and two Cobham 905E under-wing refuelling pods.

Airbus Industries
Airbus A330-MRTT Voyager
Manufactured 2007–present
First flight 15 June 2007

Airbus A330-MRTT Voyager