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:

Sep. 10th, 2008 | Statement of Northrop Grumman on the KC-X Tanker Replacement Program Decision

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Sept. 10, 2008 - The following is the statement of Brandon R. "Randy" Belote, III, Northrop Grumman vice president, Strategic Communications, in response to today's decision terminating the current KC-X tanker competition: "We are extremely disappointed at the decision to terminate the current tanker competition, especially on behalf of our men and women in uniform who will now be denied a critically needed new tanker for years. "The Department of Defense, as recently ...
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Sep. 10th, 2008 | Secretary Gates Cancels Air-Refueling Solicitation

WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has cancelled the competition for the $35 billion Air Force tanker contract. Secretary Gates told the House Armed Services Committee Sept. 10 that he decided the contract cannot be awarded by January, and that rather than award a contract that will be contested, the better idea is to let the next administration make its decision. "It has now become clear that the solicitation and award process cannot be accomplished by January," he s...
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Aug. 6th, 2008 | Pentagon Reopens $35 billion KC-X Tanker Contest

Today, the Pentagon reopened the $35 billion KC-X tanker competition between Boeing and Northrop Grumman/EADS. According to Reuters, 98 pages of amendments and clarifications were added to the original request for proposals. Most importantly, more credit will be given to the aircraft with the highest fuel offload capability, beyond the required amount. This change would favor the larger A330-derived KC-30 Northrop Grumman/EADS is offering. Northrop Grumman statement follows: WASHINGTON...
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Aug. 6th, 2008 | KC-30 Tanker Refueling Boom Concludes Testing Phase

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Aug. 5, 2008 - The advanced Aerial Refueling Boom System (ARBS) for Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) KC-45 Tanker has completed its testing and validation phase. Over the final two-day flight test period, the ARBS conducted more than 20 contacts with an F-16 fighter aircraft and, thereby, successfully achieved all remaining test objectives. Completion of the boom test program confirmed the capabilities and maturity of the ARBS, which is a key element of the KC-45 ...
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Jul. 23rd, 2008 | Northrop KC-45 Tanker Boom Successfully Completes In-flight Contact With AWACS Aircraft

WASHINGTON, D.C. - July 22, 2008 - The advanced Aerial Refueling Boom System (ARBS) for Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) KC-45 Tanker has performed multiple aerial contacts with an operational Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft, confirming its ability to support large aircraft in U.S., NATO, and allied air forces. The test mission fulfilled several key flight and program milestones for the KC-45's all-electric, fly-by-wire Aerial Refueling Boom System, including sus...
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