Airbus A310 MRTT

The Airbus A310 MRTT Multi-Role Tanker Transport is a military derivative of the Airbus A310-300C twin-jet wide-bodied jet airliner, designed for use as a multi-role air-to-air refuelling tanker, cargo transport, passenger transport, and aeromedical evacuation aircraft. The aircraft are modified by Airbus Industrie and EADS subsidiary Airbus Military SAS, along with their subcontractors, including Airbus Deutschland and Lufthansa Technik. Since the production of A310 airframes was discontinued in 2007, the air-to-air refuelling conversion can only be made on existing refurbished airliners, or as an upgrade to A310 MRTs already used by air forces.

Design

Conversion from the A310 MRT involves several key installations tailored for its multi-role mission. These include two air-to-air refuelling (AAR) pods, supplied by Flight Refuelling Ltd (FRL) of England, mounted under each wing on pylons near the wingtips. Five additional centre fuel tanks are installed, providing an extra 28,000 kilograms of fuel. A fuel operator station (FOS) is installed in the cockpit, enabling control of fuel offload, cameras, military radios, and exterior lighting; remote surveillance of approaching aircraft during air-to-air refuelling is achieved with a night-vision capable video system. The wings and aircraft floor are reinforced to accommodate the added weight and stress. The design of the in-flight refuelling pod and wing reinforcements and systems was subcontracted to ITD SA.

Armament

The A310 MRTT's primary armament is its aerial refueling capability, facilitated by the two Mk32B pods, enabling the simultaneous refueling of two receiver aircraft, at a rate of 15,000 liters per minute. It can carry a non-fuel payload of up to 37 tonnes or accommodate up to 214 seats in a troop transport configuration. For mixed-use missions, it can transport 54 troops and 12 pallets. The aircraft features four separate cargo systems within the fuselage, including a main deck cargo compartment accessible via a vertically opening door on the port side, allowing loading by overhead crane, complemented by three below-deck cargo compartments capable of handling container and palletized loads up to 96 inches in height. In an aero-medical MedEvac role, it can be configured with up to six intensive care units and 56 conventional stretchers.

Operational History

The German Air Force was the first customer for the MRTT, converting four of their seven existing A310 MRTs, with deliveries starting in October 2004. The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) also converted two of their five A310 MRTs, known as the CC-150 Polaris, with deliveries also starting from October 2004. An upgraded A310 MRTT with new mission avionics was delivered to the German Air Force in June 2007, facilitating its allocation to NATO Reaction Forces. A German A310 MRTT operationally refueled three German Eurofighter Typhoons on February 4, 2009, en route from Laage Airbase, Germany, to Yelahanka Air Force Station, India, for a competition; the 8,200-kilometer mission included a stopover at Al Dahfra airbase in the United Arab Emirates and served as part of the A310 MRTT's operational testing phase.

Variants

Main Variants:

• A310 MRT: The original military transport version, designed for passengers, cargo, and medical evacuation.

• A310 MRTT: A multi-role tanker transport variant equipped with air-to-air refuelling pods under each wing and additional fuel tanks.

• CC-150 Polaris: The designation for the Royal Canadian Air Force's A310 MRTT, converted from existing A310 MRT airframes.

• A310 MRTT (Upgraded): An upgraded version for the German Air Force with new mission avionics, facilitating its allocation to NATO Reaction Forces.