Airbus A330 MRTT
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The Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) is a next generation aerial refueling tanker aircraft based on the Airbus A330-200.
One of the greatest attributes of the A330 as a tanker aircraft is its massive internal fuel capacity. The 111,000 kg / 122 tons of fuel is held in the wings, which leaves the lower deck available for cargo. Fuel capacity can be further increased with underfloor tanks, which would not compromise main deck cargo capacity or seating for strategic transport. Another major benefit of the A330 MRTT is the fact that the two engine A330 shares the same wing with the four engine A340. This allows the A330 MRTT to use the two extra hardpoints of the A340 wing for the placement of refueling pods.
The A330 MRTT has been selected by Australia's RAAF, as well as the UK under the RAF's Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) project, to take the place of older tanker aircraft. The RAF is seeking to replace their ageing Vickers VC10 and Tristar based tankers, while the RAAF is replacing their veteran 707 tanker/transports.
The RAF aircraft will operate solely in the probe and drogue role, while Australia's five RAAF jets will also be equipped with a refueling boom. Australia was initially to procure four aircraft with an option to obtain a fifth, however the RAAF has since decided to go ahead with the procurement of the fifth aircraft to allow for two simultaneous deployments of two aircraft, with the fifth providing contingency cover.
EADS offered the A330 MRTT to the USAF to replace its KC-135 fleet. Initially rejected in favor of the KC-767, EADS is continuing to market the aircraft on the tails of a controversy in the U.S. over the KC-767 lease arrangements with Boeing.
Part of the USAF's original rationale for rejecting the A330 in 2002, which Airbus argues has some greater attributes as a tanker than the 767, was that Airbus lacked experience in aerial refueling aircraft. Since that time, Airbus has been selected by both the UK and Australia, and EADS will have had operational experience of their refueling booms before even the most demanding USAF in service date; those booms being flight tested on the Airbus A310 MRTT first.
During the 2004 Farnborough Air Show, US Air Force Secretary James Roche stated that a further bid from EADS would be "welcome." It remains to be seen whether this is actual change in the Air Force’s attitude towards the European manufacturer, or an attempt to influence any future negotiations with Boeing. In early 2006 the United States Congress passed a defense bill which reverses an earlier amendment which barred Airbus from bidding for the contract.
Should EADS win the U.S. Air Force contract, it would be required to invest approximately US$600 million in a new assembly plant in the United States, which is currently planned for Mobile, Alabama.
UK doubts
Following aircraft selection, the UK Ministry of Defence began exclusive negotiations with the Airtanker consortium. However, beginning in April 2004, there have been continuing rumours on the fragile state of the contract negotiations. This culminated in an ultimatum by the UK's Defence Procurement Agency, delivered to EADS, demanding a reduced price for the aircraft.With continuing doubts over the FSTA programme, Marshall Aerospace — which is responsible for the original conversion of L-1011 Tristars to tankers for the RAF — has offered to buy and convert some of the large number of retired commercial L-1011’s to tanker aircraft. This would give the RAF a much needed increase in capacity (with the upcoming retirement of the VC-10 fleet) at a fraction of the cost of the £13Bn FSTA project.
In a similar move, Omega Air has offered the RAF a three point tanker version of the DC-10 (see also KC-10). Omega Air has provided aerial refueling aircraft to the US Navy. Like the Tristar proposal, this would take advantage of the large number of retired civil airliners.
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