France to Order 12 Airbus A330 Tanker Transport Aircraft

RAF A330 MRTT Voyager Refuelling C-130 airlifter French Air Force is expected to place its first order for Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker ...

RAF A330 MRTT Voyager Refuelling C-130 airlifter

French Air Force is expected to place its first order for Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft later this year.

First of the 12 MRTT will be delivered by 2018, replacing French fleet of 14 Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker jets, three Airbus A310 and two Airbus A340 strategic airliners.

A330 MRTT's capability to double as a tanker and transport aircraft will be used to replace these single role aircrafts.

French MRTT will be equipped with a central boom and two underwing pods for refueling larger transport aircrafts and fighter jets respectively.

Later versions will spot a cargo door and specialist datalink which will allow the plane to receive information and transfer information more effectively from the L16 equipped receivers.

The A330 MRTT can carry a maximum fuel of 111 tonnes without the use of additional fuel tanks. In transport role, it can carry up to 291 passengers with a cargo capacity of up to 43 tonnes. It can also be configured to provide a 40 stretcher medical evacuation capability.

A330 MRTT is derived from Airbus A330-200 passenger jet, specially converted to military configuration by AirTanker consortium.

Twin engined A330 MRTT has the engine choice of Rolls-Royce Trent 700, General Electric CF6-80E1A4 and Pratt & Whitney PW 4168A turbofan engines delivering an impressive 320 kN total thrust.

MRTT has an advanced fly-by-wire technology which protects the flight from exceeding flight envelope and reduce crew workload.

MRTT also features an advanced 240 degree vision system delivering greater visibility in aerial refueling missions.