RAAF A330 MRTT progress
There were rumours of VIP conversions but the White paper doesn't mention them, so I guess it's not going to happen.
Unfortunately there is no mention of main deck or cargo door mods either
Unfortunately there is no mention of main deck or cargo door mods either
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Oh please, Australia has absolutely no requirement for the main cabin to be modified for cargo. The A330's forward, aft and bulk cargo compartments are more than adequate for any deployment.
WRT a VIP conversion, it's probably worth noting that the KC-30 conversion process involves removing all of the A330's IFE system.
WRT a VIP conversion, it's probably worth noting that the KC-30 conversion process involves removing all of the A330's IFE system.
Surely the BBJs are more suited to Journo transport when they are needed every election. They won't make the mistake of forgetting to charter aircraft until the last minute like last time. All the a/c could have been available in Australia (if you tee it up early enough), instead they had to get 2 Fokker 100s from Europe.
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Both Binny and Shep before him have said that they will not accept any compromise of the KC-30's primary tanking mission if it means cargo or VIP conversions. Good on em...
Besides, Airbus hasn't done an A330 cargo conversion or a new build freighter yet - do we really want to be lead customer on another platform???
Besides, Airbus hasn't done an A330 cargo conversion or a new build freighter yet - do we really want to be lead customer on another platform???
Both Binny and Shep before him have said that they will not accept any compromise of the KC-30's primary tanking mission if it means cargo or VIP conversions. Good on em...
Do you really think if Krudd said I want an A330 converted to VIP config they would be able to stop it? If you do you are incredibly naive.
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do we really want to be lead customer on another platform???
Nunc est bibendum
Do you really think if Krudd said I want an A330 converted to VIP config they would be able to stop it? If you do you are incredibly naive.
I suspect also too that KRudd probably feels an aircraft the size of the A330 is more in keeping with his image of himself. He'll want an aircraft where he can go back and tell the journos traveling with him how good he is.
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Sure Krudd, we'll take one of those MRTTs and turn it into a de-facto 34SQN aircraft for you and your f*cking journo mates, if you're happy to accept the hit in capability - you know, the capability the MRTT was aquired in the first place for!
Oh silly me, you probably don't really give a f*ck about things like military capability now, do you?
Thanks..........I feel better now!
Oh silly me, you probably don't really give a f*ck about things like military capability now, do you?
Thanks..........I feel better now!
Thread Starter
Arrival of Next Airbus A330 in Brisbane for Conversion to KC-30 Tanker
(June 25, 2009) -- Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science, today announced that the next commercial Airbus A330-200 aircraft has arrived at Brisbane airport for its conversion into a multi role tanker transport (KC-30 Tanker) for use by the Royal Australian Air Force.
This aircraft is being acquired under Project Air 5402. Under this project five air to air refuelling aircraft are being purchased from Spanish company EADS CASA (now known as Airbus Military). This involves the conversion of commercial A330-200 Airbus into military air to air refuellers (KC 30 Tankers).
"The aircraft which is known as Manufacturer's Serial Number 969, is the third A330-200 to be delivered from Airbus for this project and will be the second aircraft to be converted to a KC-30 tanker by Qantas in Australia," said Mr Combet.
"This is good news for Brisbane and Qantas. The project also demonstrates the ability of Australian defence industry to engage in complex military aviation projects."
"The ability to refuel aircraft in the air provides the ADF with a stronger capability by allowing a fixed number of aircraft to remain airborne longer, carry more ordnance or fly further than would otherwise be the case. This will help augment our air combat capability by extending the range and endurance of our fighters," said Mr Combet.
"The KC 30 Tanker will also add to our air-lift capability with the capacity to carry 270 troops and significant quantities of stores over significant distances."
"The first (prototype) aircraft, MSN747, has now successfully completed the second sub-phase of developmental flight testing which is devoted to boom free flight data gathering and validation of the KC-30 receiver and tanker flight control laws."
"MSN747 has successfully performed dry contacts as a receiver with the EADS A310 Boom Demonstrator and a French Air Force C-135 tanker. It has completed its first dry contact using the new-generation Cobham 905E hose and drogue refuelling pods with a Spanish Air Force F/A-18 fighter on 28 May 2009."
"The second aircraft, MSN 951, being the first to be converted to a KC-30 tanker by Qantas in Australia, is progressing well and is expected to return to Madrid, Spain later this year for completion of the extensive certification and qualification flight test program."
MSN 951 is currently expected to be the first aircraft to be accepted from Airbus Military, around mid-2010, for entry into RAAF service, as A39‑002.
Source : Mod Austalia
This aircraft is being acquired under Project Air 5402. Under this project five air to air refuelling aircraft are being purchased from Spanish company EADS CASA (now known as Airbus Military). This involves the conversion of commercial A330-200 Airbus into military air to air refuellers (KC 30 Tankers).
"The aircraft which is known as Manufacturer's Serial Number 969, is the third A330-200 to be delivered from Airbus for this project and will be the second aircraft to be converted to a KC-30 tanker by Qantas in Australia," said Mr Combet.
"This is good news for Brisbane and Qantas. The project also demonstrates the ability of Australian defence industry to engage in complex military aviation projects."
"The ability to refuel aircraft in the air provides the ADF with a stronger capability by allowing a fixed number of aircraft to remain airborne longer, carry more ordnance or fly further than would otherwise be the case. This will help augment our air combat capability by extending the range and endurance of our fighters," said Mr Combet.
"The KC 30 Tanker will also add to our air-lift capability with the capacity to carry 270 troops and significant quantities of stores over significant distances."
"The first (prototype) aircraft, MSN747, has now successfully completed the second sub-phase of developmental flight testing which is devoted to boom free flight data gathering and validation of the KC-30 receiver and tanker flight control laws."
"MSN747 has successfully performed dry contacts as a receiver with the EADS A310 Boom Demonstrator and a French Air Force C-135 tanker. It has completed its first dry contact using the new-generation Cobham 905E hose and drogue refuelling pods with a Spanish Air Force F/A-18 fighter on 28 May 2009."
"The second aircraft, MSN 951, being the first to be converted to a KC-30 tanker by Qantas in Australia, is progressing well and is expected to return to Madrid, Spain later this year for completion of the extensive certification and qualification flight test program."
MSN 951 is currently expected to be the first aircraft to be accepted from Airbus Military, around mid-2010, for entry into RAAF service, as A39‑002.
Source : Mod Austalia
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Seems all is not well with the RAAF KC-30.
With the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) poised to be one of the first to operate the A330-derived KC-30A tanker, the delay in service entry stems from a design issue with the boom - meaning that fuel transfer is still a distant prospect for the tanker and is being noted by several US Air Force generals close to the KC-X tanker competition.
While tests have already been conducted for passing fuel via the drogues, the RAAF has classified comments and criticism of the boom along with its inability to transfer fuel successfully through it as “sensitive”. First delivery of the RAAF tanker was initially slated for 2008 and is not now expected until next year. Conversion on the second RAAF tanker has slowed to a trickle while work to rectify the failed boom on the first article continues. Conversion of the third RAAF KC-30A also appears to have been postponed indefinitely.
While tests have already been conducted for passing fuel via the drogues, the RAAF has classified comments and criticism of the boom along with its inability to transfer fuel successfully through it as “sensitive”. First delivery of the RAAF tanker was initially slated for 2008 and is not now expected until next year. Conversion on the second RAAF tanker has slowed to a trickle while work to rectify the failed boom on the first article continues. Conversion of the third RAAF KC-30A also appears to have been postponed indefinitely.
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Who wrote that crap? hmmm, no byline... no wonder! 
The first aircraft modded at BNE (a/c 2) heads to Europe next month to begin fuel transfer trials through the boom with the EADS modded MRTT (a/c 1). That is when fuel transfer was supposed to have commenced anyway.
The mod took longer to complete because, as usual, Airbus underestimated how long it would take and how complex it would be, but the flight test and certification should be ramping up soon ready for frist delivery in May...15 months late.
The first aircraft modded at BNE (a/c 2) heads to Europe next month to begin fuel transfer trials through the boom with the EADS modded MRTT (a/c 1). That is when fuel transfer was supposed to have commenced anyway.
The mod took longer to complete because, as usual, Airbus underestimated how long it would take and how complex it would be, but the flight test and certification should be ramping up soon ready for frist delivery in May...15 months late.
Last edited by FoxtrotAlpha18; 14th Sep 2009 at 08:02.
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...May 2010?
... is the KC30 flying with both Boom and Probe & Drogue and are both AAR systems ready to be delivered?
If yes ... what are the AAR performance/envelopes? what kind of Boomer station is currently using and who is building the aar bods?
May 2010 is an IOC or an FOC? What is the crew training time line for both initial training on the Airbus and the differential training for the aar capability?
thanks
If yes ... what are the AAR performance/envelopes? what kind of Boomer station is currently using and who is building the aar bods?
May 2010 is an IOC or an FOC? What is the crew training time line for both initial training on the Airbus and the differential training for the aar capability?
thanks
