Air-Attack.com - KC-30 MRTT

Background

The first A330 Multi-role Tanker Transport (MRTT) platform was formally presented during a "roll-in" ceremony June 2, 2006, marking a key on-time milestone in the development of the world's most advanced aerial tanker system. This event occurred inside a brand new EADS conversion and modification center at the company's Getafe, Spain factory near Madrid, where the no. 1 A330 MRTT will be outfitted with its full complement of aerial refueling systems and mission equipment for delivery to the Royal Australian Air Force.

Northrop has announced to produce the KC-30 in Mobile, Alabama. The production facility would be located adjacent to the EADS North America facility proposed for Mobile's Brookley Downtown Airport. The two assembly facilities are expected to employ 1,000 high-tech aerospace workers and also contribute to employment for hundreds of sub-contractor and supplier companies around the country. These employment figures would be in addition to the Airbus Engineering Center already planned at the airport.

The A330 MRTT

The A330 MRTT is based on the popular and succesful A330 twin-engine passenger jet, build by Airbus. As the prime contractor, Northrop Grumman will be responsible for contract management, major sub-systems decisions and all military modifications to the A330 advanced refueling airframe supplied by EADS North America.
Characteristics that make the A330 a bestseller in its category also provide exceptional operational capabilities and superior performance for the KC-30 as a next-generation military tanker. These include:

A large existing fuel capacity in the wings
An advanced digital cockpit with fly-by-wire controls
A fuselage cross-section maximized for both passenger and cargo payloads and underfloor holds that are sized to accommodate NATO standard 463L pallets, bulk cargo and side-by-side LD-3 containers.

As a derivative of a modern commercial jetliner the KC-30's advantages also include low life cycle costs, continued manufacturer upgrades and improvements, and a guaranteed supply of spare parts for decades to come.

The KC-30 can provide 27 percent more fuel than the KC-135R, transport 1.8 times more bulk pallets than the C-17, and carries approximately 280 passengers or approximately 120 litters in an aeromedical configuration.

Fuel Delivery

With multi-point refueling and high fuel offload rates, the KC-30 Advanced Multi-role Tanker Transport is a highly versatile and capable aerial refueling platform.

The KC-30 is able to simultaneously refuel multiple receiver aircraft. Its mix of boom and hose & drogue refueling systems ensures that U.S. Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and allied aircraft can be accommodated on the same mission without the need for on-ground tanker reconfiguration.

The advanced boom uses the same proven fly-by-wire technology as the KC-30's flight control system, and it includes an automatic load alleviation system, independent disconnect function, along with redundant actuation systems and power supply. Improved controllability is provided by the boom's roll and pitch joint. Maximum fuel offload rate for the boom is 8,000 lbs./min.

Advanced features make the flying boom suited for all receiver aircraft and easily adaptable to future mission requirements - including the refueling of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The KC-30's intelligent control system enables automatic configuration of the boom's geometric refueling envelope for each type of receiver aircraft.

Northrop Grumman is developing two options for operating the boom and hose/drogue system. One option involves direct view of the receiver aircraft from the rear of the KC-30. Another uses a Remote Air Refueling Operator (RARO) station on the flight deck. Both positions are optimized for man-machine interface, utilizing a 3-D stereoscopic enhanced vision system for day/night boom operation and using modern fly-by-wire technology for the flight controls of the boom and drogue pods.

The KC-30's two underwing refueling pods are installed on pre-existing hardpoints that already are outfitted for fuel and power - requiring no structural modifications to the wing. The maximum offload rate for the pods is 2,800 lbs/min.

A centerline hose drum refueling unit is located under the aft fuselage, providing an additional hose and drogue contact point with a 90-ft. hose length. Maximum offload rate for this refueling unit is 4,000 lbs/min.

International Succes

In recent international competitions, the KC-30 family of advanced tankers has been recognized as the optimal solution for meeting next-generation military tanker requirements. The U.K. government has selected the AirTanker industry group and its A330 MRTT (Multi-Role Tanker Transport) as the preferred bidder for its Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft requirement. The Royal Australian Air Force signed a contract in December 2004 to acquire five A330 MRTTs. Deliveries of the Australian aircraft are scheduled to begin in 2008, with the A330 MRTT entering operational service in 2009 following operational test and evaluation by the RAAF.

Recent developments:

Jun. 30th, 2008 | KC-45 Aerial Refueling Boom Completes Key Flight and Performance Milestones

WASHINGTON - June 30, 2008 - The advanced fly-by-wire aerial refueling boom that Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) will integrate onto the U.S. Air Force KC-45 Tanker completed its 100th test flight in June, further demonstrating the system's maturity and validating the team's ability to rapidly modernize the U.S. Air Force's tanker fleet. Over the course of its extensive test and validation program, the Advanced Refueling Boom System (ARBS) developed by EADS has: * Accumulated ov...
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Jun. 26th, 2008 | Boeing Statement on GAO Tanker Protest Report

ST. LOUIS, June 25, 2008 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today responded to the public release of the full redacted Government Accountability Office (GAO) report sustaining the company's protest of the U.S. Air Force's award of a $35 billion contract to Northrop Grumman/EADS to supply the service with its next-generation aerial refueling aircraft. Boeing released the following statement on the 67-page report from Mark McGraw, vice president, Tanker Programs: "Our initial review of the full redacted...
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Jun. 25th, 2008 | Northrop Grumman Stands Ready to Support Air Force Tanker Decision

WASHINGTON -- June 25, 2008 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) said, today, that it continues to support the United States Air Force and looks forward to its next steps regarding the direction of the KC-45 tanker program. This follows today's public release of the full Government Accountability Office (GAO) analysis of the original tanker contract award to Northrop Grumman. "The document makes clear that the GAO's issues with the contract do not reflect on the tankers' capabilities. ...
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Jun. 18th, 2008 | Boeing, Northrop Statements on GAO Decision

Boeing Statement on Tanker Protest Ruling ST. LOUIS, June 18, 2008 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] was informed today that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found in Boeing's favor on a number of issues related to its protest of the U.S. Air Force's award of a $35 billion contract to supply the service with its next-generation aerial refueling aircraft – or KC-X tankers – to begin replacing the current fleet of KC-135 tankers. In response to the ruling, Boeing released the follo...
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Jun. 18th, 2008 | GAO Recommends USAF to Reopen KC-X Tanker Bid Process

Washington, DC - (June 18, 2008) - The Government Accountability Office (GAO) today sustained the Boeing Company’s protest of the Department of the Air Force’s award of a contract to Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation for KC-X aerial refueling tankers. Boeing challenged the Air Force’s technical and cost evaluations, conduct of discussions, and source selection decision. “Our review of the record led us to conclude that the Air Force had made a number of significant ...
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