Airbus A310 MRTT

The Airbus A310 MRTT (Multi-Role Tanker Transport) is a multirole tanker and transport aircraft derived from the A310-300C, converted by Airbus Industrie and its subsidiary Airbus Military SAS. Entering service in October 2004 with the Luftwaffe, it provides hose-and-drogue aerial refuelling, cargo and passenger transport and medical evacuation.

Development

The MRTT derives from the A310 MRT (Multi-Role Transport), itself a military conversion of the civil A310-300C for passenger transport, cargo and medical evacuation. The conversion work was carried out by Airbus Deutschland and Lufthansa Technik, with the design of the refuelling pods and wing reinforcements subcontracted to ITD SA, then a subsidiary of the Industria de Turbo Propulsores (ITP) group. The conversion comprises the installation of two underwing refuelling pods, five additional centre tanks (ACT), a fuel operator station in the cockpit, and the strengthening of the wing and floor. As production of A310 airframes ceased in 2007, conversions can only be carried out on refurbished airliners or on A310 MRTs already in service, the option chosen by Germany and Canada. EADS invested 90 million dollars in the development of a rigid boom delivering 4,500 litres per minute via two hose drum units housed in the rear fuselage.

Design

The aircraft is powered by two General Electric CF6-80C2 or Pratt & Whitney PW4152 turbofans of 262 kN. The additional tanks add 28,000 kg of fuel, bringing total capacity to 77,500 kg, or 96,920 litres. The hose-and-drogue system, supplied by Flight Refuelling Ltd, uses Mk32B pods mounted on pylons near the wingtips and allows two aircraft to be refuelled simultaneously at 15,000 litres per minute. The crew numbers three, two pilots and a refuelling operator, the pilots being able to control all functions if the operator station is deactivated. Transfer is carried out from the centre tank, with the fuel management and centre-of-gravity computer maintaining the centre of gravity. A video surveillance system developed by the FTI Group, operating in visible light and near infrared, was integrated in 2008. In cargo configuration the non-fuel payload reaches 37 tonnes; in troop transport, 214 seats; in mixed configuration, 54 troops and 12 pallets. Four separate holds are available, the main hold being accessible through a vertically opening cargo door on the left side. In medical evacuation the aircraft carries six intensive care units and 56 stretchers.

Operational History

The Luftwaffe was the first customer, converting four of its seven A310 MRTs from October 2004. In June 2007, EADS delivered the first A310 MRTT fitted with new mission avionics, allowing its assignment to NATO reaction forces. On 4 February 2009, an A310 MRTT refuelled three Eurofighter Typhoons of Jagdgeschwader 73 Steinhoff (30+23, 30+25 and 30+38) led by Colonel Andreas Schick, from Laage air base to Yelahanka in India, over a route of nearly 8,200 km with a stopover at Al Dhafra. The Royal Canadian Air Force converted two of its five A310 MRTs, designated CC-150 Polaris, the first delivered in October 2004. Pakistan also ordered an MRTT capability on the A310 airframe.

Variants

• A310 MRT: Military transport conversion of the A310-300C for passengers, cargo and medical evacuation, without refuelling capability.
• A310 MRTT: Multirole tanker version fitted with two Mk32B pods, five additional centre tanks and a fuel operator station.
• CC-150 Polaris: Canadian designation of the A310s in service with the Royal Canadian Air Force, two of which were converted to MRTT standard.