Royal Australian Air Force

In the late 80’s, the Royal Australian Air Force set forth the requirements for an air-to-air refuelling capability by converting four RAAF strategic transport aircraft Boeing 707-338Cs acquired from Qantas in 1979 and 1983.

The four air-to-air tanker aircraft have been used with success for various deployments to the Middle East and Kyrgyzstan but a successor was needed as the last 707 was retired after 30 years of service life, in June 2008.

Project AIR 5402 was launched in 2001 and in April 2004 the A330 MRTT was selected. On 20 December 2004, the contract was signed and the new tanker for the RAAF was named the KC-30A MRTT.

The RAAF is the launch customer for the A330 MRTT aircraft. The first aircraft was converted at Airbus Military facilities in Spain and made its first flight on 15 June 2007. The first of four A330-200s to be converted by Qantas in Australia has already been completed and the rest will follow over the next two years. Qantas will provide through-life support for the fleet over the next 22 years.

The first KC-30A MRTT will be delivered to No 33 Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley towards the end of 2010.

The configuration is the following:
• Engines: General Electric CF6-80
• Transport:
  - Passengers: 270 seats in a two-class configuration (30+240)
  - Medevac: 2 Medical beds
  - Permanent lower deck capacity: 8 x 463-L NATO military pallets
• AAR Equipment:
  - One ARBS
  - Two Cobham 905E under-wing pods
  - One UARRSI receptacle