Airbus A310 MRTT Performs First In-Flight Refuelling


(Source: Airbus; dated July 28, web-posted Aug. 9, 2004)


Airbus has successfully started in-flight refuelling trials as part of the certification process of the A310 Multi-Role Transport Tanker (MRTT), achieving in-flight refuelling with an Airbus aircraft for the very first time. The successful achievement by the A310 MRTT of this important milestone marks the arrival by Airbus in the military mission aircraft market.

The in-flight refuelling trials included both “dry contacts” as well as “wet contacts” with two receiver aircraft, one Panavia Tornado and one F18 “Hornet”. Up to 270 US gallons of fuel were transferred for the F18, while the Tornado received up to 260 US gallons.

The Airbus A310 MRTT is based on the A310 passenger jet converted to a multi-role mission aircraft, providing military customers with an economic solution for passenger and cargo transport needs as well as air-to-air refuelling missions.

Currently six A310s are scheduled for conversion to MRTT versions by a consortium of Airbus and Lufthansa Technik AG. Four aircraft will join the German Air Force, while Canada will receive another two. Three of these aircraft, including the one that was used for the refuelling trials, are undergoing conversion at Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW) – an EADS company - in Dresden, Germany, while the conversion work on the other three aircraft will be performed at Lufthansa Technik in Hamburg, Germany.

The A310 MRTT is a two-point hose-and-drogue tanker utilising under-wing pods. In addition to the A310 MRTT, the Airbus A330 long-range twin-engined widebody aircraft provides a more capable platform for MRTT applications. The A330 MRTT offers an optional third centreline hose-and-drogue unit as well as an optional refuelling boom.

The EADS Military Transport Aircraft Division is developing an advanced refuelling boom system (ARBS) utilising the latest fly-by-wire technology. An ARBS prototype will be flight tested on an A310 test bed in 2005. Tanker solutions, based on the Airbus A330 airframe, are on offer from EADS Military Transport Aircraft Division and are already under consideration by the British and Australian Armed Forces as well as other interested nations.

The A330 MRTT represents the most advanced solution to military transport and tanking needs and -- together with the A310 MRTT -- constitutes an attractive option as replacement for older generation aircraft.

Airbus is an EADS joint company with BAE Systems.


Take note that one of the place which was refilled was a US-designad and manufactured was an F-18.

Vive la concurrence ("competition")! Enfin (At last!!)!!