The Royal Australian Air Force has reported that the first of its A330 multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) aircraft has been equipped with an advanced aerial refueling system, marking a major milestone in the mission outfitting of this next-generation aerial tanker.

EADS' fly-by-wire advanced aerial refueling boom system (ARBS) has been installed on the A330 MRTT’s fuselage centerline position, along with hose and drogue refueling pods under each wing. With installation of the boom and refueling pods, the first Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) A330 MRTT’s electrical system has been powered up and airframe vibration testing has begun. This will clear the way for flight tests, followed by delivery to Australia – where the aircraft will ultimately enter service with the Royal Australian Air Force's 33 Squadron.

The combination of a centerline-mounted boom and underwing hose and drogue pods will enable the Australian Air Force to support its fighters, strategic airlifters and AWACS assets, while also providing full aerial refueling compatibility with US/NATO/allied military aircraft.

The EADS-developed centerline boom is an all-electric, fly-by-wire system that provides highly accurate, reliable in-flight refueling. Using a 3-D vision surveillance system, the RAAF boom operator remotely controls ARBS operations from the cockpit during air-to-air refueling. The two underwing pods used on the A330 MRTT carry 96.6-foot-long hoses and are designed to offload fuel at a rate of up to 420 gallons per minute.

In addition to the five aircraft ordered for the Royal Australian Air Force, the A330 MRTT has been chosen for the United Kingdom’s future strategic tanker aircraft (FSTA) requirement and by the United Arab Emirates for the aerial refueling needs of that country's air force and air defense.

The A330 MRTT provides a total air mobility solution, with capacity for in-flight refueling, plus full flexibility in cargo delivery, passenger transport, aeromedical evacuation and other missions. The aircraft is similar to the Northrop Grumman KC-30 tanker, a proposed solution for the U.S. Air Force KC-135 tanker replacement.

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