IAF prepares for A330 MRTT operations

[bloo]

IAF prepares for A330 MRTT operations

The Indian Air Force anticipates a contract award to Airbus Military for the A330 MRTT before the end of the financial year, top sources tell SP’s. The contract for six A330 MRTT flight refuelling aircraft, fitted with Israeli hose and drogue refuelling systems (as is standard on the Il-78Ms of the IAF) will come as big relief to the IAF, which plans to deploy the new refuellers to the Eastern sector, in Panagarh, West Bengal.

Airbus Military CEO Domingo Ureña Raso said at the time, “We are fully committed to the next stage of the negotiations, and ultimately to providing the IAF with what is unquestionably the most advanced tanker/transport aircraft flying and certified today.” When the MoD signs on the dotted line, India will become the fifth nation to commit to the A330 MRTT following Australia, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom which have ordered a total of 28 aircraft. The IAF is also opening channels with other operators of the platform, including UAE, Australia and the UK as it prepares to welcome the new platform into its fleet.

IAF prepares for A330 MRTT operations | idrw.org

 

[kaykay]

Good news. By the way when it'll come after signing the contract??

 

[anant_s]

The A330-200 wing is large enough to hold all the fuel needed (111 tonnes / 245,000 lb) to make the A330 MRTT a high performing tanker able to refuel any kind of receiver, without requiring any additional fuel tanks and so avoiding any reduction in its ability to carry passengers or cargo. To refuel receptacle-equipped aircraft such as the F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-35A Lightning II, or even the A330 MRTT itself (when fitted with an UARRSI), the A330 MRTT is provided with the advanced Airbus Military Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS), the only new generation and fully operational boom which allows the fastest fuel transfer.
To refuel probe-equipped receivers such as Eurofighter or Tornado, the A330 MRTT is fitted with two Cobham 905E under-wing hose and drogue pods.

Large probe-equipped aircraft such as the A400M or C295, can be refueled via the Cobham 805E Fuselage Refueling Unit (FRU).

Those Air to Air Refueling (AAR) systems are controlled from an advanced Fuel Operator Console that is positioned in the cockpit and features an Enhanced Video monitoring System to perform day and night refueling.

The A330 MRTT can also be used on towline mission, whereby it can be on station at about 1,000 nm / 1,600km from its base for some four hours 30 minutes, with the capability to provide 50 tonnes / 110,000 lb of fuel for needing receivers. Or it can provide 60 tonnes / 132,000 lb of fuel while remaining on station for five hours at 500 nm / 930 km from base. It enables, for examples, four Eurofighters to fly 3,600 nm / 6,700 km by refueling them en-route, or, when carrying 20 tonnes / 44,100 lb of payload, to deploy four fighters a distance of 2,800 nm / 5,200km. This exceeds by far what any other current tanker can offer. It is therefore an unmatchable force multiplier, enhancing significantly the range or endurance of any fighter

Airbus Military | A330 MRTT

 

[thestringshredder]

Good news. By the way when it'll come after signing the contract??

After 2014..since commercial negotiations with the company will take some time..!!

 

[kaykay]

After 2014..since commercial negotiations with the company will take some time..!!

thanks but what I meant was how many months it'll take the first aircraft to come to service after signing the contract next year?

 

[thestringshredder]

thanks but what I meant was how many months it'll take the first aircraft to come to service after signing the contract next year?

After signing the contract it may take 2-3 years for the first delivery..