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EADS’ A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport concludes key boom flight test milestone
Arlington, Virginia, May 12, 2009
The EADS A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) – on which Northrop Grumman’s KC-45 for the U.S. Air Force is based – has completed a key phase of testing to further validate the in-flight handling qualities of its advanced Aerial Refueling Boom System (ARBS).
These evaluations, known as flutter testing, confirmed the characteristics of the EADS-developed ARBS, which is integrated on the A330 MRTT for the transfer of fuel to military receiver aircraft.
The flutter vibration testing was performed in a variety of flight conditions, including at high speeds and altitudes, with the boom deployed in its refueling positions. Testing was performed with the first A330 MRTT built for Australia.
This marked a new achievement in the A330 MRTT’s qualification prior to the startup of deliveries to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). The RAAF is one of five military services that have selected A330-based refueling aircraft to meet their nation’s tanker/transport requirements, including Australia, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. In 2008, the United States Air Force selected the Northrop Grumman KC-45 to replace its aging KC-135 refueling fleet.
EADS’ fly-by-wire ARBS is one of the key technological advantages for the A330 MRTT and Northrop Grumman’s KC-45, providing highly accurate, reliable in-flight refueling for a full range of aircraft, from fighters to airlifters. The system’s high-resolution, panoramic and 3D-vision surveillance system enables the aircraft boom operator to remotely control the boom from the cockpit during day or night and in all weather air-to-air refueling missions. Its maximum nominal fuel flow rate is 1,200 U.S. gallons per minute.
The A330 MRTT is configured for multi-point refueling, ensuring the aircraft’s flexibility with a full range of military receiver aircraft. In addition to the centerline Aerial Refueling Boom System, the aircraft also is equipped with underwing hose and drogue refueling pods.
Phase two MRTT flight testing began in December 2008 and has validated the aircraft’s flight control laws and compatibility with a broad range of military aircraft while operating as both a tanker and receiver; tested and expanded the operational envelope of the centerline refueling boom and two underwing refueling pods; and tested onboard avionics – including NATO-standard Link 16 data communications and the Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS).
About EADS North America
EADS North America is the North American operation of EADS, the second largest aerospace and defense company in the world. As a leader in all sectors of defense and homeland security, EADS North America and its parent company, EADS, contribute over $11 billion to the U.S. economy annually and support more than 200,000 American jobs through its network of suppliers and services. Operating in 17 states, EADS North America offers a broad array of advanced solutions to its customers in the commercial, homeland security, aerospace and defense markets.
