Airbus A330 MRTT
The Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport is a European aerial refueling and military transport aircraft based on the civilian Airbus A330. A total of 17 countries have placed firm orders for approximately 85 aircraft, of which 66 had been delivered by 30 November 2025. A version of the A330 MRTT, the EADS/Northrop Grumman KC-45, was selected by the United States Air Force for its aerial tanker replacement programme, but the programme was cancelled due to political pressure. According to Airbus, the A330 MRTT has more than 90% of the air-to-air refueling aircraft market share outside the United States.
Design and development
The Airbus A330 MRTT is a military derivative of the A330-200 airliner. It is designed as a dual-role air-to-air refuelling and transport aircraft. For air-to-air refuelling missions, the A330 MRTT can be equipped with a combination of any of the following systems:- Refuelling other aircraft
- * Airbus Military Aerial Refuelling Boom System for receptacle-equipped receiver aircraft.
- * Cobham 905E under-wing refuelling pods for probe-equipped receiver aircraft.
- * Cobham 805E Fuselage Refuelling Unit for probe-equipped receiver aircraft
- Being refuelled
- * Universal Aerial Refuelling Receptacle Slipway Installation for self in-flight refuelling.
The A330 MRTT cabin can be modified to carry up to 380 passengers in a single-class configuration, allowing a complete range of configurations from maximised troop transport to complex customisation suitable for VIP and guest missions. Available configurations include 300 passengers in a single class and 266 passengers in two classes. The A330 MRTT can also be configured to perform Medical Evacuation missions; up to 130 standard stretchers can be carried. The main deck cargo configuration allows carriage of standard commercial containers and pallets, military, ISO and NATO pallets and containers, and military equipment and other large items which are loaded through a cargo door. Like the A330-200, the A330 MRTT includes two lower deck cargo compartments and a bulk area capability. The cargo hold has been modified to be able to transport up to eight military pallets in addition to civilian unit load devices.
An optional crew rest compartment can be installed in the forward cabin, accommodating a spare crew to increase time available for a mission. The passenger cabin of the A330 MRTT can be provided with a set of removable airstairs to enable embarkation and disembarkation when jet bridges or ground support equipment are not available.
Standard commercial A330-200s are delivered from Airbus's Final Assembly Line in Toulouse, France to the Airbus Military Conversion Centre in Getafe, Spain for fitting of refuelling systems and military avionics. The tanker was certified by Spanish authorities in October 2010. The first delivered aircraft arrived in Australia on 30 May 2011 and was formally handed over to the Royal Australian Air Force two days later on 1 June.
On 30 September 2016, Airbus Defence and Space completed the first flight of the new standard A330 MRTT. The new standard features structural modifications, aerodynamic improvements for a 1% fuel-burn reduction, upgraded avionics computers, and enhanced military systems. The first delivery was planned for 2018.
An Airbus/Saab team proposed an A330-based Airborne early warning and control variant with Saab's Erieye radar to the UK's Ministry of Defence in 2018 for the replacement of its Boeing E-3 Sentry fleet.
The boom operators sit at a video console using the Boom Enhanced Vision System. It uses a 3D camera vision system for day and night vision and ergonomics are significantly improved compared to operating in a prone position.
A330 MRTT+
In November 2023, Airbus began derisking studies for an updated MRTT based on the A330neo, noting that A330-200 production ended in 2018 and very few airframes remain available for MRTT use. In particular, the company is studying the feasibility of fitting the pods for the probe-and-drogue refuelling system onto the A330neo's new wing.The new variant, dubbed MRTT+, was announced at the 2024 Farnborough Air Show. Based on the A330-800, and powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, the MRTT+ achieves 8% better fuel efficiency than the original MRTT.
Operational history
The A330 MRTT has been ordered by Australia, France, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Canada, and by NATO in a multi-nation deal. Australia was the launch customer for the A330 MRTT. According to Airbus, the A330 MRTT has more than 90% in air-to-air refueling aircraft market outside the United States.Australia
Designated as KC-30A, the RAAF A330 MRTTs are equipped with both an Aerial Refuelling Boom System and two Cobham 905E under-wing refuelling pods. They are powered by two General Electric CF6-80E1A3 engines and are configured to carry up to 270 passengers plus 34,000 kilograms of cargo. Australia initially arranged to procure four MRTTs with an option to obtain a fifth; this option for a fifth was exercised to allow for two simultaneous deployments of two aircraft, the fifth being for contingency coverage. Australian KC-30As are operated by No. 33 Squadron RAAF, based at RAAF Base Amberley near Brisbane in Queensland.In 2005, the RAAF expected deliveries to begin in 2008 and end in 2010. Deliveries fell two years behind schedule, partly due to boom development issues. On 30 May 2011, KC-30A RAAF serial A39-003, the third converted A330, arrived at RAAF Base Amberley and was formally handed over on 1 June 2011, thus becoming the first MRTT to be delivered to an end user. The second, A39-002, was handed over on 22 June 2011. On 3 December 2012, the fifth KC-30A was delivered to the RAAF. While the first conversion was performed in Spain, Qantas Defence Services converted the other four RAAF A330-200s at its Brisbane airport facility on behalf of EADS. In July 2013, there were reportedly delays to the KC-30A's full service entry due to refuelling issues, such as the hose-and-drogue system passing too much fuel.
In August 2013, the KC-30A made its debut as a VIP transport, ferrying Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and an entourage to Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates. In August 2014, Defence Minister David Johnston announced the country's intention to buy two more KC-30As, one with a VIP layout for the Prime Minister's use. In July 2015, Defence Minister Kevin Andrews announced the order of two additional KC-30s, to be converted from A330-200s previously operated by Qantas, for delivery in 2018. In 2016, the decision was made to add a modest VIP fitout, including seating, meeting spaces and communication facilities, to a single KC-30A, which remains primarily used as a tanker. The 2016 Defence White Paper noted a possible rise in the fleet's size, to nine, to support new RAAF aircraft such as the Boeing P-8A Poseidon.
On 22 September 2014, the RAAF deployed an Air Task Group, including F/A-18F Super Hornets, a KC-30A and a Boeing E-7A Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft, to Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, as part of a coalition to combat Islamic State forces in Iraq. The KC-30A started operations days after arriving in the UAE, refuelling coalition aircraft over Iraq. On 6 October 2014, the RAAF conducted its first combat missions over Iraq via two Super Hornets, supported by the KC-30A.
In December 2016, an RAAF KC-30A conducted air-to-air refuelling trials with a USAF B-1B bomber.
The Australian Defence Magazine reported in July 2023 that the Australian Government was expected to announce an order for two additional KC-30As to increase the RAAF's fleet of the type to nine.
United Kingdom
In January 2004, the UK Ministry of Defence announced the selection of an A330 MRTT variant to provide tanking for the RAF for the next 30 years under the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft programme, replacing the RAF's TriStar and VC10 tankers. The Ministry of Defence entered negotiations with the EADS-led AirTanker consortium. On 27 March 2008, a deal was signed to lease 14 MRTTs under a private finance initiative arrangement with AirTanker, with the first to enter service in 2011. The service's annual cost, including military personnel costs is around £450 million for a delivery of 18,000 flying hours a rate of approximately £25,000 per hour. There are two versions, designated Voyager KC.Mk 2 and Voyager KC.Mk 3; the former is fitted with two Cobham 905E under-wing refuelling pods, the latter with a Cobham 805E Fuselage Refuelling Unit in addition to the under-wing pods; none are fitted with the Aerial Refuelling Boom System. All Voyagers are powered by a pair of Rolls-Royce Trent 772B-60 engines.By May 2014, nine aircraft had been delivered, completing the core fleet. Further deliveries were for a "surge capability", available to the RAF when needed, but otherwise available to AirTanker for "release to the civil market, less its military equipment or to partner nations in a military capacity with the MoD's agreement". By 14 March 2016, all 14 Voyagers had been delivered. In November 2015, it was announced that a Voyager would be refitted to carry government ministers and members of the Royal Family on official visits. The refit cost £10m but was claimed to save roughly £775,000 annually compared to charter flights. ZZ336 is fitted with 158 seats and is known as Vespina; it entered service on 6 May 2016. Prime Minister David Cameron made his first flight on it to attend the 2016 Warsaw NATO summit. In June 2020, ZZ336 was repainted using the colours of the Union Flag at the request of Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Although undertaken as a part of routine maintenance, the cost was stated to be approximately £900,000.
Because the RAF's Voyagers are only capable of probe-and-drogue refuelling, they are unable to refuel current or future RAF aircraft that are fitted solely for flying boom refuelling, including the Boeing RC-135, Boeing C-17 Globemaster III, Boeing 737 AEW&C and Boeing P-8 Poseidon. In April 2016, the RAF stated its interest in fitting a boom to some Voyagers, bringing its fleet into line with other MRTT operators. Fitting a boom would add flexibility to the RAF Voyagers, allowing refuelling of RAF aircraft not fitted for probe and drogue, and also by other air forces that operate boom-refuelled aircraft.
On 18 November 2022, an RAF Voyager completed the world's first 100% sustainable fuel military transporter flight, as part of the RAF's plan to become net-zero by 2040.