A310 MRTT
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While operated for some time as a pure transport aircraft the Airbus A310 is now being offered as the Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) through the addition of an aerial refueling capability.
The aircraft are manufactured and modified by EADS/Airbus. The conversion involves
- Installation of two AAR pods under each wing
- Four additional fuel tanks (extra 28,000 kg)—giving total capacity of almost 78,000 kg
- Fuel Operator Station (FOS) to control fuel offload, cameras etc, military radios and exterior lighting. For MRTT, a remote surveillance of approaching/refueling process with a night-vision capable video system had to be developed. This system (developed by a small company called VIDAIR) allows operation both with visible light and also near-infrared radiation.
- Reinforced wings and aircraft floor
- Minor cockpit modifications.
While the current MRTTs rely on probe/drogue refueling EADS has invested $90m in research and development of a boom refueling system—as used by the USAF. They are now able to offer tankers from the small A310 with refueling pods to the large A330 MRTT equipped with refueling booms.
EADS has taken advantage of Boeing's difficulties over the USAF KC-767 deal, restating their bid for the USAF contract (although with little or no hope of success). EADS has won the recent UK (through Airtanker consortium) and Australian contracts to provide AAR/AT for both air forces with the A330.
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