KC-30 MRTT
After many speculations and delays, the U.S. Air Force issued a request for information to replace the its aging KC-135 tanker fleet. The RFI was released in late April 2006 and a final decision will be made mid- to late 2007, or even later.
As expected, Boeing entered the competition with their KC-767 GlobalTanker. Omega Air Ltd., offers the Air Force a retrofitted DC-10 airplane, and last but not least, EADS North America and Northrop Grumman offer the Airbus 330.
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 (news)
Boeing, Northrop Statements on Release of KC-X Tanker Draft RfP
Posted at: Fri Sep 25th, 2009
ARLINGTON, Va., Sept. 25, 2009 -- The Boeing Company today received the Draft Request for Proposal document for the KC-X Tanker competition from the U.S. Air Force, and released the following statement:"Our next step is to conduct a detailed review of the document. We want to understa...
$35B Air Force tanker competition set to reopen
Posted at: Thu Sep 24th, 2009
WASHINGTON — The Air Force is poised to reopen a troubled $35 billion contract competition for mid-flight refueling tankers between Boeing Co. and Northrop Grumman Corp."After eight years, we can finally get on with this program," Rep. John Murtha, D- Pa., ...
SecDEF announces return of KC-X program
Posted at: Wed Sep 16th, 2009
WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced the return of the KC-X program to the Air Force during the 2009 Air Force Association Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition at the National Harbor, Oxon Hill, Md., Sept. 16.
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