Contributor - UK

David Donald

After several years of studying the idea, Airbus unveiled a version of its popular A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) based on the new-generation A330-800neo airliner on Tuesday at Farnborough. Officially known as the A330 MRTT+, the aircraft will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines.
The powerplant and an all-new wing offer an 8 percent improvement in fuel efficiency compared with the current MRTT, which Airbus based on the A330-200. The fuel load, held in wing tanks, remains the same at 111 tonnes, but the extra efficiency equates to increased fuel offload capacity and/or improved range. Airbus claims that the MRTT+ will have a 41 percent range advantage over the Boeing KC-46A Pegasus.
Parts commonality between MRTT and MRTT+ is around 95 percent, and Airbus does not envision the need for a dedicated trials aircraft. Computer modeling has predicted that the new wing will permit the wing-mounted refueling pods to maintain their performance. Airbus will perform flight trials using a customer aircraft. When that first MRTT+ flies relies on the market, and the full launch of the program will coincide with the first order.
The MRTT+ will be delivered with Airbus’s A3R autonomous air refueling as standard, expandable to an A4R configuration that permits full control of the boom refueling operation.
Airbus reports considerable interest in the MRTT+ as it continues to add to its overall MRTT order book, which now stands at 82 from 15 customers. The latest announcement is a repeat order from the Royal Saudi Air Force, which wants to add four more MRTTs. Canada is also introducing the A330 MRTT into service with a fleet of nine, including some second-hand airliners modified to MRTT standard.

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