UAE takes delivery of its first A330 multi role tanker and transport aircraft

Converted from an Airbus A330 commercial passenger jet by Airbus Military at Getafe near Madrid, the aircraft will serve with the UAE Air Force and Air Defence. The remaining two aircraft are at an advanced stage of conversion and will be delivered by mid-2013.

The type has now been delivered to all four current customers – Australia, Saudi Arabia, UAE and the United Kingdom.

Airbus Military Vice President Derivative Programmes, Antonio Caramazana said: “It is a great pleasure to see the A330 MRTT now flying in the UAE Air Force and Air Defence colours. We are confident that it will greatly enhance the capability of the UAE Air Force and contribute to the stability of the Gulf region.

In UAE service the A330 MRTT is equipped with two underwing refuelling pods, the fly-by-wire Airbus Military Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS), and a Universal Aerial Refuelling Receptacle Slipway Installation (UARRSI) enabling it to be refuelled from another tanker. It is powered by two Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines and has 256 passenger seats.

The aircraft is capable of conducting refuelling operations with UAE Air Force and Air Defence fighters such as the Mirage 2000 and F-16. The large 111 tonnes/ 245,000 lb basic fuel capacity of the successful A330-200 airliner, from which it is derived, enables the A330 MRTT to excel in Air-to-Air Refuelling missions without the need for any additional fuel tank. It is offered with a choice of proven air-to-air refuelling systems including an advanced Airbus Military Aerial Refuelling Boom System, and/or a pair of under-wing hose and drogue pods, and/or a Fuselage Refuelling Unit.

Thanks to its true wide-body fuselage, the MRTT can also be used as a pure transport aircraft able to carry 300 troops, or a payload of up to 45 tonnes/99,000 lb. It can also easily be converted to accommodate up to 130 stretchers for Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC).