Airbus Defense & Space is continuing its search for new technologies for use with the A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) as it sees large additional sales opportunities for the type.
Buoyed by the certification in mid-2022 of its A3R automatic boom refueling extension for the modified widebody fuselage – initially for use by the Republic of Singapore Air Force – Airbus now plans to test another iteration of the system starting next year. The planned A4R version will bring the ability to perform in-flight refueling of unmanned vehicles.
The upcoming A4R trials, to be conducted in conjunction with the company’s UpNext technology accelerator unit, will include its A310 MRTT test stand and an Airbus Do-DT25 tactical unmanned aerial vehicle.
“The demonstration will be step-by-step: flying in formation, piloting, and then refueling,” says Jean-Brice Dumont, director of the airframer’s military aircraft division. “What is extremely critical first is ensuring the safety of close flight, controllability and the resilience of the control systems that you are piloting the drone from [tanker] Airplane.”
As with the company’s in-service A3R technology, the improvement will be based on the use of the MRTT’s fly-by-wire controlled refueling boom. Ground-based testing is scheduled to begin in January 2023 at the company’s site in Getafe, near Madrid.
UNMANNED FACILITIES
The activity, which is expected to run over a two-year period, will also include the deployment of simulated additional unmanned aerial vehicles to eventually represent a six-person formation of receivers, Airbus said.
Dumont describes the technology development work as a “feeder for what a remote carrier might need” for use as part of a European Future Combat Air System (FCAS) capability.
Airbus is also pursuing the integration of additional new capabilities for the A330 MRTT, with Dumont identifying work to improve its self-protection equipment and provide enhanced connectivity; the latter to allow the platform to support FCAS operations for the Franco-German-Spanish program.
“As the tanker becomes more of a key asset, we need a level of self-protection more akin to what we have on some fighters,” he notes.
Meanwhile, Airbus expects to build on its current market success with the A330 MRTT: So far, 54 examples of a total of 66 ordered by 14 nations have been delivered.
“We see a very promising global market, [of] around 90 aircraft in the coming decades,” says Dumont. This forecast excludes the US, where the A330-200-based LMXT platform is being promoted by local prime contractor Lockheed Martin for the US Air Force’s anticipated “bridge tanker” needs.
“We are seeing additional orders from ours [existing] Customers realizing that there is a hunter-to-tanker ratio that motivates them to order more,” says Dumont.
New customer Canada is expected to purchase six A330 MRTTs, including assets to be converted from used aircraft. Ottawa is currently completing strategic planning before confirming the transaction, having announced a selection in April 2021.
“We see quite a lot of promise in the second-hand market for the years to come,” Dumont said during the company’s annual Trade Media Briefing event in Getafe on Dec. 12. “Many customers are considering a cheaper ‘green’ aircraft for cost reasons. We see customers – Canada, Spain and a few others – asking for used bids.”
Airbus will also respond to a recent call for proposals from Brazil in the first quarter of 2023 to convert two formerly Azul-operated A330s to the MRTT configuration.
“We needed time to understand each other as they are second hand [aircraft]’ says Dumont. “As we speak, we’re putting together our offer,” he adds.
The Brazilian Air Force is currently operating one of the future KC-30 aircraft in a passenger configuration, having arrived at Galaeo Air Force Base in July 2022.
Airbus is conducting MRTT conversions at Getafe, with current examples on site including a newly built aircraft for the French Air Force and an ex-Iberia operated example now being modified for the Spanish Air Force. Modification measures usually take nine months per aircraft.
