Airbus A330MRTT

The Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) is an aerial refuelling tanker aircraft of Airbus Defence, that incorporates new capabilities and functions for its use by Air Forces. Based on the A330-200 airliner, it can carry up to 111 tonnes of fuel and has the capacity of offloading 50 000 kg of fuel to a broad range of receivers during a 4-hour loitering mission at over 1 000 nm from its take-off point.

The A330 MRTT is ideal to carry any kind of military or humanitarian payload on strategic missions, and it can carry a maximum payload of up to 45 tonnes, combining the passenger cabin and the lower deck: up to 300 passengers. The A330 MRTT can also be configured to perform Medical Evacuation (Medevac) missions, with a configuration that allows carrying up to 28 NATO stretchers, six critical care modules, 20 seats for medical staff and 100 seats for passengers.

To refuel receptacle-equipped aircraft such as the F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-35A Lightning II, or even the A330 MRTT itself (when fitted with an UARRSI), the A330 MRTT is provided with the advanced Airbus Defence & Space Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS).

The transformation of the A330-200 into MRTT is carried out by Airbus Defence in Spain, and its design, development and conversion involve both the company’s plants in our country and a relevant group of companies in the Andalusian aerospace sector. Airbus has a total of 57 orders of the plane from different Air Forces of the world, of which 29 have already been delivered to their customers and are in service.

More information: See Airbus Defence website