MASI
Australian air force updates progress with KC-30A tanker
December, 09th 2011 19:48
The Royal Australian Air Force gave an international debut to one of its Airbus Military KC-30A (A330) multi-role tanker/transports (MRTT) at the Langkawi International Maritime & Aerospace exhibition in Malaysia. The aircraft flew an RAAF contingent to the show and appeared on static display.
In a presentation to journalists, the RAAF said it is currently testing the aircraft's Cobham 905E hose and drogue refuelling system with the Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet.
"We're exploring the aircraft's wake turbulence envelope and preparing for certification," said Lt Col David Strong from the RAAF's 33 Sqn.
"The drums are electrically - not hydraulically - operated," Strong added. "When a fighter plugs into it there is less chance of a wave going up the hose and then coming back and ripping the probe off. Regardless of a fighter's closure, a wave won't go up the hose and come back."
He added that the underwing hoses can transfer 1,225kg (2,700lb) of fuel per minute at 50 pounds per square inch, and the boom 3,630kg.
Using the hose and drogue it takes 6min for a Super Hornet to on-load 3,175kg of fuel. While the boom's flow rate is higher, it is not useful for refuelling fighters owing to the limited amount of fuel smaller aircraft can take on board per minute.
Strong added that the hose and drogue is twice as efficient as the boom because two fighters can refuel simultaneously. The RAAF is yet to start testing the boom.
Australia will also use the aircraft as a transport. It can carry 270 passengers on its main deck as well as 40 tonnes of cargo in its under-floor hold.
Three of the air force's eventual five KC-30As have been accepted so far, with the remainder to be handed over by mid-2012.
Separately, Airbus Military chief executive Domingo Urena said there could be a strong market for the A330 MRTT in southeast Asia, owing to the great distances in the region and the aircraft's ability to perform as both in-flight refuelling tanker and passenger aircraft.
He said Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore could all be viable markets for the type, although no discussions have been held as yet.
"We're exploring the aircraft's wake turbulence envelope and preparing for certification," said Lt Col David Strong from the RAAF's 33 Sqn.
"The drums are electrically - not hydraulically - operated," Strong added. "When a fighter plugs into it there is less chance of a wave going up the hose and then coming back and ripping the probe off. Regardless of a fighter's closure, a wave won't go up the hose and come back."
He added that the underwing hoses can transfer 1,225kg (2,700lb) of fuel per minute at 50 pounds per square inch, and the boom 3,630kg.
Using the hose and drogue it takes 6min for a Super Hornet to on-load 3,175kg of fuel. While the boom's flow rate is higher, it is not useful for refuelling fighters owing to the limited amount of fuel smaller aircraft can take on board per minute.
Strong added that the hose and drogue is twice as efficient as the boom because two fighters can refuel simultaneously. The RAAF is yet to start testing the boom.
Australia will also use the aircraft as a transport. It can carry 270 passengers on its main deck as well as 40 tonnes of cargo in its under-floor hold.
Three of the air force's eventual five KC-30As have been accepted so far, with the remainder to be handed over by mid-2012.
Separately, Airbus Military chief executive Domingo Urena said there could be a strong market for the A330 MRTT in southeast Asia, owing to the great distances in the region and the aircraft's ability to perform as both in-flight refuelling tanker and passenger aircraft.
He said Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore could all be viable markets for the type, although no discussions have been held as yet.
