 |
This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (January 2008) |
| A310 MRTT | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| A310 MRT of the German Luftwaffe | |
| Role | Strategic tanker/transport |
| Manufacturer | EADS/Airbus |
| First flight | December 2003[1] |
| Status | Active service |
| Primary user | Luftwaffe |
| Developed from | Airbus A310 |
| Variants | CC-150 Polaris |
The Airbus A310 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) is an aerial refueling tanker aircraft based on the civilian Airbus A310. Previously, the A310 has been operated as a pure transport aircraft.
Contents |
Design and development
The A310 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) is a military derivative of the Airbus A310 airliner. It is designed as a dual-role air refueling tanker and cargo transport aircraft.
The aircraft are manufactured and modified by EADS/Airbus. The conversion involves
- Installation of two AAR pods under each wing
- Four additional fuel tanks (extra 28,000 kg)—giving total capacity of almost 78,000 kg
- Fuel Operator Station (FOS) to control fuel offload, cameras etc, military radios and exterior lighting. For MRTT, a remote surveillance of approaching/refueling process with a night-vision capable video system had to be developed. This system (developed by a small company from Germany called FTI group) allows operation both with visible light and also near-infrared radiation. The Refuelling Monitor, was integrated in the year 2008.
- Reinforced wings and aircraft floor
- Minor cockpit modifications.
The design of the pod and wing reinforcements and systems was subcontracted to ITD SA, at that time part of the ITP Group.
The German Air Force (Luftwaffe) has become the first customer for the MRTT, converting four of their seven A310s. The Canadian Forces are converting two of their five A310s, which are known as the CC-150 Polaris in Canadian service, to MRTT configuration.
While the current MRTTs rely on probe/drogue refueling EADS has invested $90m in research and development of a boom refueling system such as that used by the USAF. They are now able to offer tankers from the A310 with refueling pods to the larger A330 MRTT equipped with refueling booms.
A310 MRTT is somewhat smaller than A330 MRTT. Since production of A310 airframes is over, it can only be made from refurbished airliners, or as an upgrade to A310's already used by Air forces (option chosen by Germany and Canada). As a tanker, it has very similar fuel capacity to KC-135R However, because of the larger cabin, it is much more flexible, offering good capacity for cargo, troop transport, VIP transport, or other use, lacking only the capacity to land on rough strips to qualify as a strategic transport. Airbus hopes to sell it to some of the countries that need to replace the Boeing 707's they use as tankers.
First operational use with German Luftwaffe took place on February 4 2009, when three German Eurofighter Typhoon were refuelled by A310 MRTT tanker aircraft during their deployment from Laage Airbase (Rostock, Germany) to Yelahanka Airbase (Bangalore, India).[2]
Pakistan has also ordered MRTT capability built on an A310, although it's no longer in production.[3]
Specifications (A310 MRTT)
Data from airforce-technology.com website[4]Jane's Aircraft Recognition Guide 5th ed. [5]
General characteristics
- Crew: 3 or 4 flight crew (2 pilots and other flight crew)
- Capacity: 214 passenger
- Payload: Disposable Fuel 61,729 lb/Non-Fuel 79,366 (28,000 kg/36,000 kg)
- Length: 155 ft 5 in (47.4 m)
- Wingspan: 144 ft (43.9 m)
- Height: 51 ft 10 in (15.8 m)
- Airfoil: low/swept wing
- Empty weight: 251,324 lb (113,999 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 361,554 lb (163,998 kg)
- Powerplant: 2× General Electric CF6-80C2 turbofans, up to 59,000 lbf (262 kN) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: mach 0.8 (978 km/h)
- Range: 5,524 mi (8,889 km)
See also
Related development
Comparable aircraft
Related lists
References
- ^ Air Force Technology - MRTT - Multirole Tanker Transport
- ^ Flugrevue, German Language
- ^ "Pakistan Eyes Boost in Transport, Lift". 2008-11-03. http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=3801474. Retrieved 2009-07-27.
- ^ "A310 MRTT Multi-Role Tanker Transport, Europe". http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/mrtt. Retrieved 2009-11-16..
- ^ Jane's Aircraft Recognition Guide 5th ed. 2007, p. 420.
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Airbus A310 MRT |
|
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
