Airbus A330 MRTT / KC-30 Voyager
Northrop-Grumman KC-45
Варианты:
Airbus - A330 MRTT / KC-30 Voyager - 2007 - США
Страна: США
Год: 2007


Фотографии:

Цветные фото (129)
Australia
Самолет-заправщик A330-200MRTT
Airbus Military KC-30A A39-005 (msn 1183, ex EC-336) is seen at RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, on November 30, 2012, during its delivery flight to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). The aircraft arrived from Cetafe in Spain and departed on December 1 for Travis AFB, California, finally arriving at RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland for No.33 Squadron two days later. The aircraft is the last of five A330-203 Multi-Role Tanker Transports for the RAAF; the first three were received during 2011 (June 1, June 22 and November 22) and the fourth on January 31, 2012.
A Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18F Super Hornet and a KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft taxi for a mission in support of Operation Okra from a base in the Middle East.
30 Royal Australian Air Force KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft awaits its next Operation Okra mission at a base in the Middle East Region.
A KC-30A at Al Minhad after returning from an Operation Okra mission.
A Royal Australian Air Force Airbus KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport takes off on another mission in support of Australian and coalition aircraft over Iraq and Syria.
Royal Australian Air Force KC-30A A39-001 seen on take­off from the Airbus Military's facility at Getafe. Clearly visible is the Aerial Refuelling Boom System (underside of aft fuselage) and the wing-mounted Cobham 905E refuelling pods.
Included in the Integrated Investment Plan are the sixth and seventh Airbus KC-30A multi-role tanker transports, which are currently in Getafe awaiting conversion. This 33 Squadron KC-30A is photographed during a training sortie.
Airbus won its first A330 tanker order from the Royal Australian Air Force in 2004. Five A330 MRTTs will replace four Boeing 707s, the last of which has recently been retired. The first example of the new generation of tankers is due for delivery to Australia early next year.
The KC-30A's availability underpinned the number of on-station close air support ‘stacks' provided by the RAAF Hornets.
Airbus Defence and Space has indicated its intent to bid the A330 MRTT for South Korea's US$1.25 billion aerial refuelling tanker programme, announced in April 2015.
A Pilot’s eye view of a KC-30A’s drogue from an F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned No. 1 Squadron.
KC-30A A39-005 over the Pacific Ocean on an air-refuelling mission from Andersen AFB, Guam during exercise Cope North in February 2013. All Royal Australian Air Force KC-30As wear No.33 Squadron’s badge featuring a Frigatebird on the tail.
The past and the future: a French Air Force C-135FR tanker performs a trial refuelling of an Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft (MRTT). The KC-45A design, with which EADS is contesting the USAF KC-X competition, is heavily based on the A330-MRTT design.
If times get tough for the DoD's KC-46 tanker programme, Airbus does have an alternative ready to go.
A C-17A Globemaster III assigned to the 62nd Airlift Wing, approaches a Royal Australian Air Force KC-30A for aerial refueling.
An E-7A Wedgetail uploads fuel from a KC-30A tanker during a mission flown in support of Operation Okra.
RAAF E-7A Wedgetail and F/A-18F Super Hornet fly aft of a KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport as they transit to the battlespace as part of Operation Okra, the Australian Defence Force's mission in the Middle East. RAF Voyager tankers don't have a boom refuelling capability.
The Boeing E-7 Wedgetail is perhaps the most likely option being explored by the UK MoD as a replacement for the RAF's Sentry AEW1 airborne warning and control aircraft.
Between June 1 and 13, 2015, the first aerial refuelling trials were conducted between a RAAF KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport and an E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft. During the trials, seven sorties were flown by each aircraft and included 118 dry contacts with the KC-30A's refuelling boom, and six wet contacts involving the transfer of 20 tonnes of fuel. The trials were conducted under the direction of the Aircraft Research and Development Unit.
Over the period February 27 to April 14, 2018 members from the Aircraft Research and Development Unit and 33 Squadron deployed to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, to undertake clearance testing between the KC-30A and the Poseidon P-8A aircraft. Testing was jointly planned and executed by ARDU and Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 20 (VX-20).
A Royal Australian Air Force KC-30A refuels an Armee de l'Air E-3F Sentry during flight trials of the Aerial Refueling Boom System.
Royal Australian Air Force KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport A39-005 refuels B-52H Strato fortress 60-0036 assigned to the 419th Flight Test Squadron based at Edwards Air Force Base, California. The test sortie was conducted by members of the Royal Australian Air Force Air Warfare Centre’s Aircraft Research and Development Unit, and the 418th and 419th Flight Test Squadrons from Edwards. Ongoing testing with the KC-30A is part of a coalition tanker aerial refuelling certification.
Almost 300 connections with receiver aircraft have tested the upgraded boom refuelling system.
The Royal Australian Air Force KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport undertook its first air refuelling boom contact on May 13, 2015. The three-hour sortie from RAAF Base Amberley saw the crew deploy the 17m-long Aerial Refuelling Boom System, which made 14 successful dry contacts with the refuelling receptacle of another KC-30A.
KC-30A австралийских ВВС заправляет сингапурский F-16. Экипажи австралийских KC-30A, впрочем, чаще заправляют свои F/A-18 посредством подкрыльевых ТЗА.
An F/A-18A Hornet assigned to No.3 Squadron Royal Australian Air Force refuels from KC-30A A39-005 over the Pacific Ocean near the island of Guam during this year's exercise Cope North.
A TUDM F/A-18D uploads fuel from a Royal Australian Air Force KC-30A tanker during Pitch Black.
F-35A AF-04 plugged to the boom of KC-30A A39-001 during an air-refuelling flight test mission from Edwards Air Force Base on September 25, 2015.
RAAF KC-30As have recently supported the Pitch Black, Stone Age and Arnhem Thunder exercises.
In April 2015 alone the KC-30A deployed in theatre flew 30 missions and transferred three million pounds (1,360 tonnes) of fuel to Australian and coalition strike aircraft.
Successful deployment to the Middle East.
Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18F Super Hornet A44-217 formates on the port side wing of a KC-30A prior to air refuelling during exercise Talisman Saber 2013.
French Air Force Rafales were the first non-RAAF aircraft to refuel from the KC-30A over Iraq.
A330 MRTT может брать на борт больше топлива, грузов или пассажиров, чем его конкуренты. KC-30 может перевозить 32 грузовые палеты (поддона) типа 463L, тогда как Boeing KC-46A - только 19.
An EA-18G Growler from Electronic Attack Squadron 132 (VAQ-132) 'Scorpions’ air refuelling with a Royal Australian Air Force KC-30A tanker during Exercise Talisman Saber 2017.
An EA-18G Growler from VAQ-132 'Scorpions' takes on fuel from a Royal Australian Air Force KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport, an as F/A-18E holds alongside.
A Royal Australian Air Force KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft refuels F-35A aircraft during their journey to Australia.
RAAF Super Hornets tanking from the KC-30A during their journey to the Middle East.
The Hornets, KC-30A and E-7A represented the first purely air-focused task group sent overseas by the RAAF for several decades.
The first RAAF A330MRTT/KC-30B lands at Getafe, Spain, following its maiden flight on June 15, 2007, only three days after completion of its tanker modifications.
A KC-30A at RAAF Base Amberley, home of No.33 Squadron.
A KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft maintenance crew prepares to launch the jet at dusk, beginning another mission refuelling Coalition aircraft over Iraq.
UK
Voyager KC3 ZZ333 taxies for departure at RAF Brize Norton after the aircraft returned to service on February 21, 2014.
Первый Voyager был поставлен британским ВВС в 2011 году. Это самый крупный самолет, когда-либо находившийся у них в эксплуатации. Самолеты базируются на авиабазе Брайз Нортон.
Voyager KC2 ZZ300 is seen about to depart Manchester Airport on December 13, 2012. The tanker transport arrived there two days earlier after poor visibility at RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, prompted a diversion en route from Hanover in Germany.
Voyager KC2 ZZ331 taxies back to parking after an air-refuelling mission.
Fully marked up, Voyager 01 ZZ330 taxies to AirTanker's hub at RAF Brize Norton following an operational mission. Having achieved its 'introduction to service' on January 31, 2012, the aircraft has been flying operational flights since April 8, 2012.Operated by both No.10 Squadron and No.101 Squadron, RAF Brize Norton’s Voyagers fulfil a number of important roles including strategic air transport, aeromedical evacuation and air-to-air refuelling.
A Voyager KC2 parked on the flight line at RAF Brize Norton during a snowy day in January 2013.
Voyager is available to the RAF around the clock. In August 2013, No.10 Squadron held UK Quick Reaction Alert for the first time.
Voyager KC2 ZZ330 undergoing de-icing at RAF Brize Norton on a frosty night in January 2013.
RAF Voyager KC3 ZZ333 at RAF Brize Norton in August 2013. This aircraft was involved in an air incident while flying in Turkish airspace on February 9, 2014, in which it dropped 4,440 feet (1,353 m) in 27 seconds uncommanded by the pilot.
Voyager KC3 MRTT021/EC-338 (msn 1334, to become ZZ335) was rolled out of the Air Livery hangar at Manchester Airport on May 28 after being painted in RAF colours. It is expected to be the sixth to be delivered to RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire.
Airbus's A330 MRTT tanker has already been selected by Australia, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. Away from the United States, the aircraft may also win selection in France, and possibly India and Brazil.
Voyager KC2 ZZ331 undergoes post-flight maintenance on the flight line at Brize Norton.
Wearing temporary civil registration G-VYGD, Voyager KC3 ZZ333 takes off from RAF Brize Norton on July 22, 2013.
'BrizeyJet' takes-off. Voyager 02 G-VYGG is seen at RAF Brize Norton in January 2013 manned by AirTanker pilots and crew as part of the company's airline operation.
The RAF has now received all nine Voyagers.
The UK Chief of the Air Staff has set the RAF a goal of reaching net zero by 2040, in addition to fielding a zero-emission aircraft by the end of the decade
The A330 Voyager MRTT aircraft has both an air-to-air refuelling and transport role, and is the product of a multinational effort with European OEM Airbus
A pilot's view of the Sargent Fletcher hose and drogue extended from a 905E wing air refuelling pod.
No.10 Squadron commenced regular North Sea tow line operations with Tornado GR4s in May 2013.
During the first year of Operation Shader, Tornado GR4s conducting missions over Iraq were refuelled by coalition tankers including Royal Australian Air Force KC-30s.
A Royal Air Force Voyager KC2 refuels two RAF Tornado GR4s on March 4, 2015 over Iraq during operations against ISIL. The RAF has continued to carry out air strikes in Iraq as part of Operation Shader since last October. In addition to the GR4s, Hellfire-armed RAF Reapers are also being used to target ISIL militants in the country.
A common shot taken from an RAF Voyager tanker shows a Typhoon FGR4 plugged into the basket and taking fuel, this one during a Shader mission. Note the bright yellow rings applied to the forward fuselage of the Paveway IV bomb denoting it's a live weapon.
A RAF Voyager from RAF Brize Norton provided air refuelling for all legs of Eastern Venture.
Voyager’s release to service for air refuelling the Typhoon was issued in August 2013.
Armee De I'Air Rafale B fighters fly in formation with a 33 Squadron KC-30A tanker en route to Australia to participate in Exercise Pitch Black 2018 at RAAF Base Darwin, Northern Territory.
Voyager KC2 ZZ335 leading the formation of four F-35B Lightning IIs en-route to RAF Marham on June 6, 2018.
Royal Air Force Voyager KC2 MRTT027 (msn 1555, ex EX-336, to be ZZ341/G-VYGL) lands at Getafe, Spain, on June 8, 2015. The aircraft was returning from Manching, Germany where it had arrived on May 13 for painting. It was the first A330MRTT to be painted by Airbus Defence and Space at Manching, although others are planned. The aircraft will shortly be delivered to Air Tanker.
Voyager KC2 ZZ337 with the engine reverse thrusters deployed on landing at RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire.
'Vespina' supporting regular RAF operations in its traditional AAR refuelling role on June 26, 2020, the day after it returned to service in its new, bespoke paint scheme.
Two UK F-35B Lightning II fighters being refuelled during transit from the US. The UK has apparently committed to another tranche of aircraft, although funding is being held separately
Voyager KC2 MRTT026 (msn 1498, G-VYGJ/ZZ340), departing Manchester Airport on January 13, 2015 following a repaint in Thomas Cook colours by Air Livery. The aircraft, from AirTanker's surge capacity fleet for the Royal Air Force, ferried back to Getafe, Spain where it will be de-militarised before delivery to Thomas Cook in May. It was flown to Manchester on December 27, 2014.
AirTanker
AirTanker’s hangar at RAF Brize Norton can hold two Voyager aircraft and has all of the company’s office spaces, as well as those occupied by No. 10 and No. 101 Squadrons, on the south side of the same building.
AirTanker uses purpose-built gantries for maintenance.
Airbus Military A330-243 Voyager KC3 G-VYGG (msn 1363, ex EC-333) has recently been painted with AirTanker titles. The tanker transport, which currently lacks underwing air refuelling pods, first flew on October 25, 2012. It arrived at RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, on November 30 and was handed over to AirTanker Ltd on December 6 as its sixth example. It will become ZZ336 on adopting RAF markings and was noted operating from RAF Brize Norton on August 27. AirTanker provides the RAF with aircraft and associated support services to undertake the air refuelling mission.
AirTanker was selected to provide the Airbus A330 MRTT to replace the VC.10 and Tristar. However, delays to finalising the PFI contract mean that the two aircraft types currently in service may have to soldier on until 2015.
South Korea
THE FIRST of four Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transports was delivered to the Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF) in January 2019 and local media reports suggest that the first of the country's Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning Ils will follow in March 2019.
The first A330-243 MRTT for the Republic of Korea Air Force 16-001 (MRTT050/msn 1787) pictured departing Airbus Defence and Space's facility at Getafe on its delivery flight to Gimhae Air Base.
The first Republic of Korea Air Force Airbus A330-243 Multi Role Tanker Transport, serial number 18-001 (msn 1787), resumed test flights from Getafe, Madrid on June 15, 2018. Following painting in its Republic of Korea Air Force light grey colour scheme at Manching, Germany, the aircraft arrived at Getafe on June 8 before making two short test flights on June 15.
UAE
Airbus A330-243 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) 1301 (msn 1186, ex MRTT014) of the United Arab Emirates Air Force at RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, on September 24, 2014. The aircraft left the following day. Three A330-243 MRTTs were delivered to the air force between February and August 2013, based at Al Ain International Airport in Abu Dhabi.
Flight tests of the third Airbus Military A330-243 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) for the United Arab Emirates Air Force and Air Defence should be under way. The aircraft is seen on November 11, 2012, at the manufacturer's facility at Getafe in Spain following conversion from a 'green' airframe, having received the flight test identification MRTT015 (msn 1250, ex EC-332).
An unmarked UAE-operated Airbus A330-243 MRTT conducts a flypast with a UAEAF&AD Dassault Mirage 2000-9 during the opening day of the Dubai Airshow in November 2021
Singapore
Singapore's first A330 MRTT seen after painting at Manching, Germany.
Seen landing at Getafe after a 3.5-hour test flight on May 31, 2018 is Airbus A330MRTT EC-332 (c/n MRTT034, to be registered 761 when in service with the Republic of Singapore Air Force). It wears special colours to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Republic of Singapore Air Force.
Saudi Arabia
Самолет-заправщик A330 MRTT
Two Airbus Military A330-243 Multi-Role Tanker Transports of 24 Squadron, Royal Saudi Air Force, recently arrived at RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, from At Kharj-Prince Sultan AB. The aircraft (2401, msn 980, ex MRTT010; and 2402, msn 996, ex MRTT011) first landed in the UK on August 23 and 27, 2013 respectively. They were deployed to support the Saudi Eurofighter Typhoons and Panavia Tornado IDS based at RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, for the duration of exercise Green Flag.
Participants in the joint Saudi-Tunisia exercise held at Sidi Ahmed Air Base in Bizerte, Tunisia stand in front of one of the Royal Saudi Air Force's A330 MRTTs that has been specially painted in 'Vision 2030' markings.
Post conversion flight tests of the fourth Airbus Military A330-202 Multi-Role Tanker Transport for the Royal Saudi Air Force began on December 21, 2013. The aircraft (MRTT030, msn 1379, ex EC-340) took off from Barajas International Airport outside Madrid, Spain, where modification work had been carried out by Iberia, for a 3.5 hour test flight before landing at the Airbus Military facility at Getafe. The first of the second batch of three A330 MRTTs for Saudi Arabia, the aircraft will become 2404 after being painted and delivered. The country's fifth example (EC-338 - the fourth use of the identity, msn 1478, ex F-ZVWYT) arrived in a ‘green’ configuration at Getafe from Toulouse-Blagnac in France on December 9, 2013.
Airbus A330-202 EC-337 (msn 1516, ex F-WWKS) will become the sixth Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) for the Royal Saudi Air Force (as 2406). It is currently being converted to the role at Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport in Spain, the first to be worked on outdoors. The fifth MRTT for Saudi Arabia (EC-338, msn 1478, ex F-WWYT) is meanwhile being equipped in a hangar at the airport.
France
The A330 MRTT will soon be offered to the USAF as a replacement for its KC-10A Extender.
A Phenix sits on the ramp at Istres at the end of a training sortie
The distinctive 'swishing' paint scheme adopted for the French MRTTs
Seen here on short finals to Torrejon Air Base after a two-hour flight from Manching, Germany on July 6, 2018 is Airbus A330 MRTT MRTT041 (msn 1735), resplendent in its full Armee de l’Air colours. The aircraft will make its next series of test flights from Torrejon, because of work on Getafe’s sole runway this summer. It is expected the aircraft will be handed over to the Armee de l’Air before the end of the year.
The third French Air Force Airbus A330 Phenix Multi-Role Tanker Transport, serial number 043 (c/n 1916, ex EC-330, MRTT043), which was delivered four months ahead of schedule. It was accepted by the DGA, the French Defence Procurement Agency, at Base Aerienne 125 Istres on July 10, 2020, having been delivered to there from Getafe, Spain, two days earlier.
A pair of Mirage 2000Ds photographed from the A330's rear cabin
Future Armee de l’Air A330 MRTT ECT0041 (msn 1735) on final approach to Getafe, Spain after its September 7, 2017 first flight.
Netherlands
A multinational effort has seen EDA members pool resources in order to provide an aerial refuelling capability with the Multi Role Tanker Transport programme.
A Swedish Saab Gripen connects with the basket of a NATO MRTT
A RNAF Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcons approaches the advanced Airbus Defense and Space Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS) of the Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT). By the end of this year, the Multinational MRTT Unit hopes to achieve initial operational capability. The unit had some problems with the training due to COVID and the lack of the air-to-air refuelling statement and now mainly trains with the probe and drogue systems
 
Voyager KC3 MRTT024 at Manchester Airport on April 25, 2014, the day it arrived from Spain.
24 июня 2009г.: в Тулузе поднялся в воздух первый A330, построенный по программе FSTA ("перспективный стратегический самолет-заправщик") для Великобритании. Самолет имел гражданскую конфигурацию, но затем был переоборудован в военный заправщик.
Undertaking its first flight at Toulouse, France, on September 25, 2007 was Airbus A330-203 F-WWKU (c/n 871), which is destined to become the first KC-30 Tanker for the US Air Force, aircraft 'D1', subject to Northrop Grumman winning the KC-X contract. The aircraft, currently a standard A330-200 commercial airframe, flew for nearly four hours. Once initial flight-testing is completed it will be ready for conversion to tanker configuration. Contract award for the USAF KC-135 replacement programme is anticipated in December 2007 or January 2008, but if Northrop Grumman is unsuccessful, this first aircraft will not be converted and instead completed for sale as a normal commercial airliner.
Northrop Grumman's first Airbus KC-30, designated SDD-1 and based on A330-203 airframe c/n 871, was rolled off the Toulouse production line in France on July 3, 2007, as seen here.
Maintenance and servicing of Voyager’s Rolls-Royce Trent engines is undertaken by AirTanker at RAF Brize Norton. Rolls-Royce field representatives based at Derby provide technical support.
Cobham 905E Refuelling Pod
The new Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport has a versatile air-to-air refuelling capability with the Cobham 905E probe-and-drogue system - mounted at the location of the two non-existent outboard motors - and the advanced Airbus Defense and Space Aerial Refueling Boom System on the tail
Top: Voyager’s camera system improves the situational awareness for the mission systems operator.
Middle and bottom: The Cobham 805E FRU can dispense fuel at a rate of 1,800kg/min, and installed on Voyager KC3s to refuel large receiver aircraft.
Two views of the 905E wing air refuelling pod.