raf voyager a330 air to air refuelling aircraft

A330 Voyager

Project description.

Voyager is a dual role air-to-air refuelling and transport aircraft, currently in service with the Royal Air Force and used by the Prime Minister and Royal Family.

What is the A330 Voyager?

Voyager is a military derivative of the Airbus A330-200 Airliner. It is designed as a dual role air-to-air refuelling and air transport aircraft.

The aircraft is equipped with two underwing pods for refuelling fast jets and Fuselage Refuelling Unit (FRU) giving Voyager the capability to also refuel large aircraft, such A400M.

Voyager has a payload of 43 tonnes of freight and 291 seat passenger capacity plus aeromedical evacuation capability (up to 40 stretchers and three critical care patients).

Voyager provides a vital connection between the UK and the Falkland Islands, through the South Atlantic Air Bridge (SAA). The twice-weekly service transports military personnel and civilians from RAF Bridge Norton to the Falklands.

Voyager came into service in 2014 and is currently supporting operations at home and abroad. It will remain in service until 2035. There are a total of 14 aircraft, nine of which are held in the core fleet with a further five held in reserve to meet demand as required.

About the A330 Voyager

One aircraft bears the Union Jack and is fitted with business class seating for VIPs, such as the Prime Minister and members of the Royal Family. However, it remains fully capable of aerial refuelling.

In June 2022, Voyager set two new records for non-stop flights between the UK and the Falkland Islands. These record-breaking flights confirmed the capability of the Voyager service to sustain the SAA to the Falklands without having to land for refuelling. The non-stop flights carrying passengers and freight were only possible thanks to DE&S’ cost-effective installation of a Crew Rest Facility on the civil registered Voyager so that relief aircrew could travel on board the aircraft.

In November 2022, DE&S worked with the RAF and industry partners to carry out a world-first 100% sustainable fuel flight using an A330 Voyager. This was the first flight powered completely by 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel for a military aircraft of its size, and the first of any aircraft type in the UK. The flight was a joint endeavour between the RAF, DE&S and our industry partners Airbus, AirTanker and Rolls-Royce, with the fuel purchased from Air bp.

A330 Voyager has a colossal 60-metre wingspan and is the largest aircraft ever used by the Royal Air Force.

How is Voyager delivered?

DE&S manages the Voyager Private Finance Initiative contract. This is a 27-year contract awarded to the AirTanker consortium to manage the maintenance, infrastructure, and spares needed to sustain the Voyager programme. The scope of the contract also covers aircrew and ground crew training, including training school instructors and fleet management.

Voyager is one of the highest value private finance initiative (PFI) contract in Government. DE&S plays a crucial role in ensuring maximum value and benefit from the services available, working closely with our industry partners.

Meet the DE&S Voyager delivery team

Become part of the team.

The DE&S Voyager Delivery Team is made up of 40 personnel at MOD Abbey Wood Bristol and RAF Brize Norton. The team manages a contracted service to supply Voyager to the RAF.

Voyager is operated by 10 Squadron and 101 Squadron in the RAF.

Voyager sets new records with non-stop flights to and from the Falkland Islands

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RAF uses SAF for the first time in air-to-air refuelling

The Royal Air Force (RAF) has used sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) blended with regular jet fuel to achieve the first SAF blend air-to-air refueling.

A RAF Voyager, the military variant of the Airbus A330  delivered the fuel to a Typhoon fighter and C-130 Hercules aircraft.

The Voyager was previously used in flight tests conducted during  November 2022 , when it flew on 100% SAF. The leftover fuel from the Voyager trial was mixed with regular fuel at around 46-48% for the air-to-air refueling flight.

The RAF worked with Air BP to re-certify the fuel and achieve the required standards needed for a safe and effective mission.

RAF supply project manager, squadron leader Gaz Evans said, “We have learnt a great deal during this trial and now have confidence in our ability to use blends of SAF now and in the future. The trial proved there is no detriment to performance as we strive towards reduced emissions targets.

“This was a first for both Typhoon and the Hercules and we believe that we are the first Air Force to conduct an Air-to-Air refuel operation with a sustainable aviation fuel bend at this level (46-48%). We are hugely grateful to Air BP for their expertise in assisting us with the re-manufacture and re-certification process to enable this successful result. ”

Baroness Goldie, UK Defence Minister said, “This is another key achievement in the Royal Air Force’s remarkable progress to increase their use of sustainable fuel. With potential benefits for the environment and operational resilience, this important work alongside expert defense industry and scientific teams in the UK is crucial for the RAF’s future resilience.”

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• Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)

26 October 2020

A330 mrtt and a400m.

The Royal Air Force A330 MRTT ‘Voyager’ achieves clearance to refuel A400M aircraft 

The Spanish National Institute for Aerospace Technology (INTA) has granted the Voyager Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR) clearance for the A400M using the centreline hose and drogue system, known as the Fuselage Refuelling Unit (FRU). The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the only MRTT customer to make use of this system, which is used to refuel large probe-equipped aircraft such as the A400M or C295. 

This AAR clearance is the culmination of several ground and flight testing campaigns to develop and evaluate the two aircraft and their pairing in many different conditions. Supplementing this work, the Airbus teams have performed intensive engineering analysis and documentation to demonstrate the AAR compatibility between the two aircraft. 

Bringing out the creativity

"I would love to highlight the great teamwork during the flight test campaign as well as during the entire clearance process both internally and with INTA. It has been a particularly rewarding campaign, as the challenges we faced brought out our best creative instincts"

Gemma Martin Ferrer, FSTA Programme Manager at Airbus Defence and Space

Under the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) programme, Airbus Defence and Space has delivered 14 Voyager aircraft to British aircraft leasing company AirTanker. These tankers are delivered in two military configurations: with two AAR underwing pods – to refuel probe-equipped receivers such as the Eurofighter and the F/A-18 – and with two underwing pods plus the FRU system. The Voyager MRTTs are operated by the RAF under a service contract (a private finance initiative), and can also be rolled into a civil configuration.

The Voyager fleet is cleared by INTA to refuel Tornado, Eurofighter, C-130J Hercules, E-3D Sentry, F-35B Lightning II and now the A400M.

INTA, the technical body of the Spanish Airworthiness Authority (DGAM), is the contractual certification entity of the A330 FSTA and MRTT aircraft. Their certifications are then endorsed by the airworthiness authorities.

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Airbus A330 MRTT performs landmark air-to-air sustainable aviation refuelling mission

Posted By: Jeroen Vogelaar May 5, 2023

One-hundred years since the first ever air-to-air refuelling of an aircraft, the British Royal Air Force (RAF) has carried out a landmark in-flight refuelling exercise with blended sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) using an Airbus Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) Voyager aircraft.

On a crisp Spring morning in the Oxfordshire countryside, the RAF’s VIP Voyager – emblazoned with Union Flag tail and gold-lettered ‘United Kingdom’ livery – taxied on to the Brize Norton runway filled with 43% SAF.

On board were UK Business and Trade Minister Nusrat Ghani MP, members of the media and Airbus’ Filton-based engineer Loraine McIlree, who had led the team which successfully flew the Voyager on 100% SAF from Brize in November.

Loraine said: “Last year, we had the opportunity to push the boundaries and performed a flight test on an in-service military aircraft. I led the technical team for this project and we successfully flew an RAF Voyager A330 MRTT with 100% SAF on both engines, with no fossil fuel on board. 

“All our aircraft have been designed to operate with normal jet fuels. SAF has different properties but from our testing we are able to demonstrate how capable our aircraft are for flying with a new type of fuel.

“To clear the aircraft to fly with 100% SAF requires a thorough analysis of all parts of the aircraft impacted by fuel. All materials need to be checked for compatibility, together with the systems adjacent to the fuel tanks. It took months of work to obtain the clearance and it was a great moment to witness the Voyager fly last November with 100% SAF. The flight crew reported no difference in performance during the flight and we captured a lot of data to help us progress towards clearing SAF on our aircraft.”

April’s demonstration flight took sustainability to a new level – refuelling four Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets with blended SAF. The exercise was timed to coincide with the start of the Farnborough Sustainable Skies World Summit, and the VIP Airbus Voyager performed a 500ft low fly-past over Farnborough before landing back at Brize Norton.

Air Vice-Marshal Paul Lloyd said: Providing increased reliability and range, the Voyager aircraft gives the RAF an enhanced capability in support of troop mobility, the movement of military assets, and supports UK air defence.

“With a payload of 43 tonnes of freight and 291 seat passenger capacity, plus an aeromedical evacuation capability, Voyager also delivers flexibility in air mobility to the UK Armed forces in support of military and humanitarian operations.”

During the two days of the Sustainable Skies World Summit, the Jet Zero Council – a partnership between industry and government with the aim of delivering at least 10% SAF in the UK fuel mix by 2030 and zero emission transatlantic flight within a generation – also met.

Defence Minister Baroness Goldie added: “The RAF has identified that using SAF and alternative aviation fuels will be critical for the future operational capability of the RAF and wider military aviation.

“The UK’s SAF programme is already one of the most comprehensive in the world and supports our vision to set the UK up to be a global leader in the development, production, and use of SAF.”

Release RAF Photo Jeroen Vogelaar

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RAF A330MRTT: The Voyager in Action

The RAF variant of the A330MRTT is called the Voyager and was purchased through a public-pirvate partnership approach.

According to the RAF website , the Voyager and its role within the RAF is described as follows:

Voyager is the RAF’s sole air-to-air refuelling (AAR) tanker and also operates as a strategic air transport.  The aircraft is in service as the Voyager KC.Mk 2, equipped with two underwing pods for refuelling fast jets, and as the Voyager KC.Mk 3, with an additional centreline hose for use by large aircraft. 

Fuel offloaded during AAR is taken from the aircraft’s standard wing and fuselage tanks, leaving the cabin free for up to 291 personnel and the hold available for freight.  As a tanker, capabilities include the ability to operate a ‘towline’, where the Voyager orbits around a prescribed area awaiting ‘receivers’, or in a ‘trail’, where it flies with a number of fast jets, refuelling them over long ranges while taking responsibility for the formation’s fuel and navigation.

Alternatively, it can operate as a passenger aircraft in much the same way as a civilian airliner, but delivering personnel safely into theatre thanks to its defensive aids suite.  Voyager also offers considerable capacity for the movement of palletised and/or bulk freight in its lower fuselage hold.  A versatile aeromedical configuration, including the ability to carry up to 40 stretchers and three critical care patients is available, as is a modest VIP passenger fit. 

TYPE HISTORY

Airbus Industrie launched its combined A340/A330 programme on June 5, 1987.  It aimed to produce a family of closely related widebody airliners based on the four-engined, long-haul A340 and twin-engined, medium-haul A330.  The latter achieved its first flight, with General Electric engines, on November 2, 1992, with the initial Rolls-Royce Trent-powered machine following on January 31, 1994.

Typically for Airbus, the A330’s pilots interact with its fly-by-wire system via sidestick controllers rather than the yoke traditionally associated with large aircraft.  The basic A330-200 and longer A330-300 have been developed into a wide range of subvariants offering revised performance and different maximum take-off weights.

The earlier A310 widebody had found favour with several air arms as the basis for conversion into a military transport or multi-role tanker transport (MRTT), and Airbus recognised the type’s potential as a possible TriStar/VC10 replacement in the early 1990s, trialling a modified aircraft alongside RAF fast jets in 1995.  

It was subsequently expected to offer the A310 MRTT against the UK’s Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) requirement, announced as a likely private finance initiative (PFI) programme in 2000.  In the event, the procurement process was delayed and although Airbus did not tender, in 2004 the Ministry of Defence announced its intention to acquire a variant of the A330 MRTT.

Under a March 2008 agreement, the AirTanker consortium was selected to provide 14 aircraft under a 27-year contract.  This includes a so-called ‘Core Fleet’ of eight military serialled and one civilian-registered aircraft, supplemented by a ‘Surge Fleet’ of five civilian-registered aircraft that AirTanker uses commercially to generate additional revenue.  The surge aircraft are demodified very close to A330-200 standard and can be recalled for military use if required.

AirTanker owns, manages and maintains the aircraft and provides infrastructure,  support, training facilities and some personnel, in particular Sponsored Reserve pilots and engineers.  Named Voyager in service, the A330 MRTT began RAF operations with 10 Sqn on May 12, 2012, flying an air transport sortie from its Brize Norton home base to RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus.

Issues with the drogues, or ‘baskets’ into which receivers insert their probes during refuelling operations delayed Voyager’s debut in the tanker role, but these had been overcome by summer 2013 and the aircraft’s ability to deliver fuel to a variety of RAF and allied aircraft expanded very quickly.  Also in 2013, 101 Squadron retired the RAF’s final VC10s and began flying Voyager alongside 10 Sqn and AirTanker’s reservists.

Although it ranges worldwide, Voyager remains home-based at Brize Norton.  One aircraft is always available on the Falkland Islands, primarily in support of the Typhoon QRA jets, but also available to the Hercules.  Another of the type operates the regular airbridge to and from the Falklands and Voyager is making a major contribution to Operation Shader, offloading fuel to RAF Tornados and Typhoons, and a variety of Coalition jets, including US Marine Corps Harriers and F/A-18 Hornets.

The Voyager has provided global reach for the RAF as they have operated their Eurofighters globally.  As then RAF Lossiemouth base commander, Group Captain and now Air Commodore Paul Godfrey put it with regard to their global deployments:

“In my entire time in the Royal Air Force, I’ve not seen a global deployment as we managed at the end of last year with our deployment to Malaysia, Japan and Korea.

Throughout the period we visited the United Arab Emirates, India, Malaysia, Japan, The Republic of Korea, Brunei and back through India, UAE and Greece which is about as global a deployment as you can get.”

And flying with their Voyager is a key part of the global reach effort.

For example, in 2016, RAF Typhoons fly to South Korea to exercise with US and South Korean forces.

According to a news item on the RAF website published on November 8, 2016, between 4 and 10 November 2016, the Republic of Korea (ROK) Air Force hosted “Invincible Shield,” the first ever combined air exercise with the US and the UK.

Four Eurofighter Typhoons from Royal Air Force (RAF) No. 2 Squadron deployed to Osan Air Base in Korea after conducting exercises in Malaysia and Japan. C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft, Voyager tanker aircraft, and around 200 RAF personnel will also participate.

And the Voyager carried personnel inside the aircraft and refueled during the deployment from its wings to provide both a lift and tanking capability during the flight to the mission.

Clearly, the Voyager and the A330MRTT are now part of the global allied tanking efforts.

For example, this May, RAF Mildenhall hosted the 5th annual European Tanker Symposium where Voyager was a key participant.

The symposium, held every year since 2012, allows NATO allies to share their experiences, discuss mixed tanker formation standards, and build on tanker integration.

The week-long event included mixed formation academics, discussions and flights in a KC-135 Stratotanker and a Royal Air Force Voyager. Ultimately, the event was to establish and initialize best practices when flying in a multinational formation, and the goal was once again achieved.

“This is one of the first times that we’ve gotten together as European partners to specifically concentrate on these tactics, techniques and procedures on how we operate together,” said Lt. Col. Timothy Mach, 100th Operations Group deputy commander. “Being able to fly on the airplanes, we can all get an idea of the countries that don’t normally do formation flying together, and we can start building those procedures.”

Flying in a multinational tanker formation is something the ETS is trying to safely create. During the days leading to the formation flight, aircrew shared differences in the terminology and procedures they each use.

“I think the procedures have remained largely the same,” said RAF Flt. Lt. Elizabeth Herbert, RAF Voyager captain. “It’s the fundamental basics that are important — remaining a safe distance from each other when you meet up, and ensuring that you can remain in a close formation. It doesn’t really matter what large aircraft you have in that scenario; providing we maintain these techniques, the type of large aircraft – whether currently or in the future – doesn’t matter.” 

The featured photo shows the Voyager bringing the first four F-35s home to Britain from the United States.

The first of Britain’s next-generation fighter jets are set to arrive home tonight, two months ahead of schedule, in a major milestone for the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy.

The F-35s took off from Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort and were flown by British pilots of the newly-reformed 617 Squadron, which was immortalised by the famous Dambusters’ raid during World War II.

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RAF A330 Voyager crew participate in multinational refuelling exercise

British Royal Air Force’s (RAF) air-to-air refuelling (AAR) tanker A330 Voyager and crews have taken part in a multinational refuelling exercise at the Eindhoven airbase in the Netherlands.

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The two-week-long European Air Refuelling Training (EART) 19 event involved tankers and crews from several nations, including the UK, the US, Germany, France and the Netherlands.

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EART is designed to improve interoperability between the participating nations. It allows tanker crews from the nations to become familiar with each other’s tactics and aircraft.

The RAF sent crews from 10 Squadron and 101 Squadron to participate in the event with the A330 Voyager.

Squadron leader Craig Gibson said: “The opportunity to train with our partner nations has been fantastic. By operating alongside Dutch, French or German tankers in one formation, we have been able to practise tactics and techniques that we can only do on an exercise like EART, refuelling French Mirage 2000 and German Typhoon fighters throughout the two weeks.”

Germany and The Netherlands respectively sent an A310 and a KDC-10, while France and the US were represented by their KC-135 aircraft.

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During the exercise, the RAF Voyager tanker performed refuelling for a range of aircraft, including Typhoons from the German Luftwaffe.

The RAF noted that EART 19 allowed air and ground crews to train away from their home base.

The service also stated that multinational exercises allow airforces to become familiar with partner countries and their aircraft types.

Mission Systems officer flight sergeant Paul Riley said: “Fuel keeps the fast jets such as our Typhoons in the fight. A big part of what this exercise was about was understanding their needs in order to be so much more than an airborne petrol station.

“For example, we synchronise our plans with their missions so that once refuelled we have managed to place them in the best location for the next part of their sortie.”

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RAF completes Voyager air-to-air refuelling flight using sustainable fuel blend

The Royal Air Force has successfully completed a Voyager air-to-air refuelling flight – powered by an approximately 43% blend of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

Flying from RAF Brize Norton, over the North Sea and via Farnborough on its return home, the Voyager aircraft also undertook air-to-air refuelling with Typhoons, as part of planned training.

This latest flight marks the launch of a new aviation Net Zero Carbon roadmap for commercial aviation.

• RAF successfully refuels Typhoon and C-130 mid-air using sustainable fuel blend
• RAF completes groundbreaking first flight using sustainable fuel
• Sustainable fuel set to power RAF reaches landmark new stage

This latest achievement, called "significant" by the Ministry of Defence, follows a series of recent milestones achieved by the RAF towards a sustainable aviation future.

In January, the RAF achieved its first SAF blend air-to-air refuelling of a Typhoon and C-130 Hercules aircraft.

An RAF Voyager delivered the fuel to the aircraft – the Voyager  completed a ground-breaking trial flight  in November 2022 during which it flew on 100% SAF.

Leftover fuel from that test was mixed with regular fuel at around 46-48%, the RAF said.

The RAF worked with BP to re-certify the mixture and ensure the required standards for a safe and effective mission.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel, which is created from waste-based sustainable feedstocks like used cooking oil, cuts lifecycle carbon emissions on average by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel.

It is hoped, in time, increased use of SAF should help to improve the RAF's operational resilience and reduce its reliance on global supply chains and fossil fuels.

'Crucial transformation'

Defence Minister Baroness Goldie said: "Greater use of alternative and sustainable fuel can only lead to positive outcomes for defence, the United Kingdom, and our collective endeavour against climate change. 

"This is not an easy undertaking by the RAF, but time and again we see that by working collaboratively with our partners across the industry we can achieve crucial transformation."

Net zero by 2040

Supporting the RAF's ambitions to be net zero by 2040, the Voyager flight was part of an existing task from the Chief of the Air Staff to gather the required data to inform the longer-term transition away from fossil fuels.

Chief of Staff Support and Chief Engineer Air Vice-Marshal Paul Lloyd said: "The continued success of sustainable aviation fuel is reassuring to see.

"If we are to achieve our net zero goal by 2040 then exploiting these technologies is going to be an enormous, but worthwhile, endeavour.

"Despite the challenge, the benefits of reducing our reliance on traditional supply chains and fossil fuels outweigh it.

"The RAF is proud to be leading in this area and I welcome the announcement introduction of commercial uses of SAF," he added.

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• Airbus A330 MRTT Performs Landmark Air-to-air Sustainable Aviation Refuelling Mission Airbus A330 MRTT Performs ...

This news is classified in: Defense Engines / Power / Fuel Military Aircraft

May 4, 2023

Airbus A330 MRTT Performs Landmark Air-to-air Sustainable Aviation Refuelling Mission

Raf's vip voyager refuels four eurofighter typhoons with saf blend over the north sea.

One-hundred years since the first ever air-to-air refuelling of an aircraft, the British Royal Air Force (RAF) has carried out a landmark in-flight refuelling exercise with blended sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) using an Airbus Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) Voyager aircraft.

On a crisp Spring morning in the Oxfordshire countryside, the RAF’s VIP Voyager – emblazoned with Union Flag tail and gold-lettered ‘United Kingdom’ livery – taxied on to the Brize Norton runway filled with 43% SAF.

On board were UK Business and Trade Minister Nusrat Ghani MP, members of the media and Airbus’ Filton-based engineer Loraine McIlree, who had led the team which successfully flew the Voyager on 100% SAF from Brize in November.

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Loraine said: “Last year, we had the opportunity to push the boundaries and performed a flight test on an in-service military aircraft. I led the technical team for this project and we successfully flew an RAF Voyager A330 MRTT with 100% SAF on both engines, with no fossil fuel on board.

“All our aircraft have been designed to operate with normal jet fuels. SAF has different properties but from our testing we are able to demonstrate how capable our aircraft are for flying with a new type of fuel.

“To clear the aircraft to fly with 100% SAF requires a thorough analysis of all parts of the aircraft impacted by fuel. All materials need to be checked for compatibility, together with the systems adjacent to the fuel tanks. It took months of work to obtain the clearance and it was a great moment to witness the Voyager fly last November with 100% SAF. The flight crew reported no difference in performance during the flight and we captured a lot of data to help us progress towards clearing SAF on our aircraft.”

April’s demonstration flight took sustainability to a new level – refuelling four Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets with blended SAF. The exercise was timed to coincide with the start of the Farnborough Sustainable Skies World Summit, and the VIP Airbus Voyager performed a 500ft low fly-past over Farnborough before landing back at Brize Norton.

Air Vice-Marshal Paul Lloyd said: Providing increased reliability and range, the Voyager aircraft gives the RAF an enhanced capability in support of troop mobility, the movement of military assets, and supports UK air defence.

“With a payload of 43 tonnes of freight and 291 seat passenger capacity, plus an aeromedical evacuation capability, Voyager also delivers flexibility in air mobility to the UK Armed forces in support of military and humanitarian operations.”

During the two days of the Sustainable Skies World Summit, the Jet Zero Council – a partnership between industry and government with the aim of delivering at least 10% SAF in the UK fuel mix by 2030 and zero emission transatlantic flight within a generation - also met.

Defence Minister Baroness Goldie added: “The RAF has identified that using SAF and alternative aviation fuels will be critical for the future operational capability of the RAF and wider military aviation.

“The UK's SAF programme is already one of the most comprehensive in the world and supports our vision to set the UK up to be a global leader in the development, production, and use of SAF.”

In case you missed it, read about the 100% SAF Voyager flight here.

Tell a friend: Airbus A330 MRTT Performs Landmark Air-to-air Sustainable Aviation Refuelling Mission

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AirTanker Voyager (A330 MRTT)

In-flight refueling tanker aircraft, united kingdom | 2012, "the royal air force expects to lease some fourteen french airbus a330 mrtt tankers under the voyager kc2 and kc3 designations.".

Simple Flying

Everything to know about the airbus a330 mrtt.

An in-depth look at Airbus' militarized A330-200, in-use with militaries all over the world.

• The Airbus A330 MRTT is a military aircraft based on a commercial A330-200 platform and has been in service since 2011 with multiple customers worldwide.
• The aircraft goes through a specialized conversion process at Airbus' military aircraft facility in Getafe, Spain, where it is equipped with hardware and systems for air-to-air refueling and airlift capabilities.
• The A330 MRTT's versatility allows it to be configured for various missions, such as troop transport, medical evacuations, and VIP government transportation. It can also carry up to 111 tonnes of fuel for aerial refueling.

Like the Boeing Poseidon P-8 and KC-46 Pegasus, the Airbus A330 MRTT is a military aircraft based on a commercial aircraft platform. But, unlike these Boeing models, the A330 MRTT's name clearly shows which aircraft family it is based on. This widebody multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) has been in service since 2011 and now officially operates with the militaries of eight countries, as well as NATO's "multinational MRTT fleet." This article will be a deep dive into this militarized Airbus widebody, examining its history, technical specifications, capabilities, and its customers around the world.

A330 MRTT history

It was back in 2011 that Airbus' military division delivered the very first A330 MRTT to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). The delivery resulted from an extensive development and test program to produce the world's first certified and flying new-generation tanker/transport aircraft.

Years of hard work preceded the aircraft's entry into service. As noted by FlightGlobal, the program kicked off in 2004 with a contract to convert the RAAF's five A330s into MRTTs. More specifically, the contract was signed on December 20th, 2004, between the government of Australia and Airbus Defence predecessor EADS-CASA. EADS stands for European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company, while Casa stands for Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA. The companies would eventually be regrouped to form Airbus Defence.

Aviation Week notes that the first A330 MRTT, intended for Australia, rolled out of the EADS-CASA facilities in Getafe , Spain, in June 2007. The remaining four aircraft that were part of the initial order were then modified to become MRTTs in Brisbane, Australia, with work conducted by Qantas Defense Services.

The Australians expected to take delivery of the first aircraft in 2008. However, this was pushed back to 2011 due to delays resulting from Australian airworthiness requirements.

Get all the latest aviation news right here on Simple Flying.

Two 'origins': Purpose-built or converted

With all of this history, it's important to note that each and every Airbus A330 MRTT starts off as a regular Airbus A330-200 before undergoing a specialized conversion process.

As noted by Airbus, the aircraft are produced on the company's commercial airplane final assembly line in Toulouse, France. Once their initial build-up is complete, they are flown to Airbus' military aircraft facility in Getafe. At this Spanish facility, A330s are equipped with hardware and systems for their dual roles as air-to-air refueling platforms and airlifters for troops and cargo.

This process means that military customers are even able to secure old passenger airframes from civilian operators to convert into MRTT aircraft. For example, the Spanish Ministry of Defence acquired three Iberia Airbus A330s for conversion to MRTTs. On the other side of the Atlantic, the Brazilian Air Force acquired two ex-Azul Airlines jets for conversion, while the Royal Canadian Air Force has opted to convert two ex-Kuwait Airways A330s.

Specifications and abilities

Knowing that the A330-200 is the foundation of every A330 MRTT, it's safe to assume that many of its dimensions will be identical to its commercial cousin. This would obviously include the airframe's overall length of 58.82 meters (193 feet) and its wingspan of 60.30 meters (197 feet 10 inches.) However, as noted in the "multi-role tanker transport" name, the MRTT's list of capabilities is undoubtedly much more diverse than a passenger A330-200.

Airbus states that the aircraft can carry a maximum payload of up to 45 tonnes (99,000 lbs). Depending on the seating configuration, this could see up to 300 passengers. However, in a MedEvac cabin layout, this could be different. Airbus offers the example of 40 stretchers, 20 seats for medical staff, and seating for 100 passengers; This would be combined with up to 37 tonnes of cargo in the lower deck.

For an aircraft configured to be full MedEvac, the manufacturer states that the jet can accommodate up to 130 NATO stretchers.

The aircraft's versatility ultimately means that its configurations will differ wildly between customers and even between different missions. While one MRTT might be mainly focused on transporting troops for deployments, another might be configured for medical evacuations. Others might be set up to be VIP government transports - such as the UK's RAF Voyager "Vespina."

As the Royal Air Force notes, Vespina provides transport for Government Ministers and the Royal Family. Alongside its VIP Role, the aircraft remains certified for its quote-unquote "original use." This includes Air-to-Air Refuelling and personnel transport.

The A330 MRTT's air-to-air refueling capability makes it a crucial part of air force operations that deploy fighters and other military aircraft. Airbus states that one A330 MRTT can support the deployment of four fighter aircraft plus 50 personnel and 12 tonnes of freight (such as luggage, spare parts, and equipment). In this configuration, it would have a range of 5,200 km (3,231 miles),

Aerial refueling versatility

As a tanker, the A330 MRTT can carry up to 111 tonnes of fuel, which Airbus says is the highest capacity of all tanker aircraft, even when compared to those with additional fuel tanks in the cargo deck.

Operating with different militaries and their respective fighter aircraft, the A330 MRTT can be fitted with different aerial refueling systems. These include:

• Fuselage Refuelling Unit (FRU)
• Under-wing pods
• Or An Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS)

Aircraft such as the A400M or C295 can be refuelled with the A330 MRTT's FRU, while under-wing pods can be used to refuel any NATO or allied probe-equipped receivers such as the Eurofighter, the Tornado, the Jaguar, or the F/A18 Hornet. Finally, the ARBS can be used to refuel aircraft such as the F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-35A Lightning II, or even another A330 MRTT fitted with the proper receptacle.

Orders and deliveries

Well, Airbus data accurate as of the end of May 31st, 2023, states that 68 A330 MRTTs have been ordered, with 57 now delivered and in operation.

Going by official Airbus data, here are the countries and the number of aircraft ordered at the time of this article's publication:

• Australia: 7
• Saudi Arabia: 6
• Singapore: 6
• South Korea: 4
• United Kingdom: 14
• United Arab Emirates: 5
• NATO - MMF: 10

There are two notes for this list. Firstly, the Western military alliance known as NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) has its own fleet of MRTTs as part of its MMF. MMF stands for "multinational MRTT fleet."

As such, while these aircraft may be operated by personnel from specific NATO countries, the aircraft are not attached to a particular country. As noted by the alliance, six NATO Allies pooled their resources to make this initiative possible: Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Norway.

The other thing to highlight is that Canada and Brazil have also acquired aircraft to be converted into A330 MRTTs. However, these jets are mysteriously absent from Airbus Defence's orders and delivery data.

While one explanation could have been that conversions of former passenger aircraft aren't counted, this reasoning fails when we consider the fact that Spain's three ex-Iberia A330s are included in this list. Indeed, Australia's A330 MRTT fleet also includes ex-Qantas A330-200s.

We contacted Airbus Defence about the posted numbers, but the company insists that its data is accurate.

The United States is not a customer

While the A330 MRTT has been chosen by many NATO members and allies of the United States, it shouldn't be surprising that the US military would opt for a homegrown solution instead of this European offering.

This comes in the form of the Boeing KC-46 Pegasus, which, like the A330 MRTT, is a multi-role widebody aircraft capable of transportation and aerial refueling. And, like the A330 MRTT, the aircraft is based on a commercial transport platform, which in this case, is the 767-200.

While the Boeing jet may have fewer customers, the US Air Force's sheer size and operational demands mean that order numbers are well ahead of the A330 MRTT. Three countries (the US, Japan, and Israel) have orders for more than 130 KC-46 Pegasus airframes.

So what do you think of the Airbus A330 MRTT? Have you ever seen one for yourself? Share your experiences by leaving a comment!

Sources: Aviation Week , FlightGlobal , Airbus , Airbus delivery data , Royal Air Force

Aerial Lifelines: Tracing the History of Air-to-Air Refuelling

In the realm of aviation, air-to-air refuelling stands out as a remarkable feat of engineering and a critical technique that has transformed the capabilities of military and civilian aircraft. With the ability to transfer fuel between aircraft mid-flight, air-to-air refuelling has extended flight endurance, expanded operational range, and enhanced the overall effectiveness of missions.

Air-to air refuelling is at the core of what we do today. However, knowing where this fantastic capability started, 100 years ago, is something we cannot take for granted. This article takes you on a journey through the fascinating history of air-to-air refuelling, highlighting its origins, significant milestones, and its pivotal role in shaping modern aviation.

Early Beginnings

The concept of air-to-air refuelling can be traced back to the early days of aviation. As early as the 1920s, visionaries like the Italian engineer and aviation pioneer, Giovanni Caproni, proposed the idea of mid-air fuel transfers. It was in June 1923 that the first successful recorded refuelling flight was completed with US Army Air Service aircraft.

The military had developed a successful system for midair refuelling between DH-4B bi-planes, following previous endurance attempts that were limited mainly by fuel supply. However, it was not until the 1930s that tangible progress was made in developing practical methods for in-flight refuelling.

Development and World War II

In the late 1930s, the United States Army Air Corps (predecessor to the United States Air Force) initiated experiments to further explore the potential of air-to-air refuelling. In 1941, the first successful demonstration of air-to-air refuelling took place when a modified Boeing B-18 Bolo bomber transferred fuel to another B-18 in flight. This achievement laid the groundwork for further advancements in the field.

During World War II, air-to-air refuelling emerged as a crucial technique for long-range bombing missions. The British Royal Air Force (RAF) used a system called the "Looped Hose" for refuelling their Short Stirling bombers, while the United States employed the "Probe and Drogue" system, which featured a refuelling probe on the receiving aircraft and a flexible hose trailed by the tanker aircraft. These early systems, though rudimentary, provided valuable experience and set the stage for future developments.

Advancements in the Cold War Era

The Cold War era witnessed significant advancements in air-to-air refuelling technology. The United States Air Force introduced the "Flying Boom" system in the 1950s, which involved a rigid pipe with movable surfaces (the boom) extending from the tanker aircraft to make contact with the receiving aircraft's receptacle. This method allowed for faster and more efficient fuel transfer, leading to increased operational flexibility and range for military aircraft.

The 1960s brought further innovations, such as the development of the "Probe and Drogue" system used by NATO allies, including the United Kingdom and France. This system employed a flexible hose with a stabilising drogue at its end, which the receiving aircraft would connect to using a refuelling probe. The "Probe and Drogue" system proved to be versatile and compatible with a wide range of aircraft.

Modernisation and current day application

As technology advanced, air-to-air refuelling systems became increasingly sophisticated and reliable. The beginning of computerised flight controls, advanced sensors, and improved aircraft designs further enhanced the efficiency and safety of the process. Introducing, Voyager’s predecessors…

In 1978 the RAF announced that instead of converting yet another bomber, which they didn't have, it would form a squadron of nine dedicated tanker aircraft.

Although designed as a civil airliner, the VC10 proved to be an excellent platform for Air to Air Refuelling (AAR), and in this role served the Royal Air Force (RAF) for almost twenty years. The VC10 was never designed as a tanker and it took quite a bit of work to convert the different airframes for their new role.

In 1977, studies began into converting redundant commercial VC10s into aerial refuelling tankers; the RAF subsequently contracted British Aerospace to convert nine former civilian airliner VC10s to the K2 and K3 variants. Both variants featured a pair of wing-mounted refuelling pods and a single centreline refuelling point, known as a Hose Drum Unit (HDU), installed in the rear freight bay; nose-mounted refuelling probes were also fitted.

In 1982, VC10 C.1s formed a part of the airbridge between RAF Brize Norton and  Wideawake Airfield  on  Ascension Island  during  Operation Corporate , the campaign to retake the Falkland Islands.

The VC10 completed its final flights in RAF service on 20 September 2013.

The Lockheed TriStar entered service with the RAF in 1984 as an air-to-air tanker and transport aircraft; a converted civilian Lockheed L-1011-500 TriStar airliner previously operated by British Airways and Pan American World Airways.

The RAF purchased these aircraft following the Falklands War, after a requirement for additional air-to-air refuelling (AAR) operations had been identified.

The Tristar operated a centre line refuelling hose which provided fuel to receiving aircraft one at a time.

The TriStar fleet was operated by No. 216 Squadron at RAF Brize Norton. No. 216 Squadron was officially disbanded on 20 March 2014 and flew its last sorties with the TriStar on 24 March 2014.

With both the VC10 and TriStar aircraft nearing their retirement, the RAF needed to source a replacement that would support the future requirements of AAR, Air Transport and Aeromedical Evacuation.

Enter the Voyager

In 2008, AirTanker were award the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft contract by the MOD. With the fantastic flexibility of the aircraft, the Airbus A330 MRTT was a clear contender from the start and has proven to be the RAF’s most reliable and versatile aircraft. With the fuel capacity of the aircraft greater than those of its predecessors, and using the capacity already provided by the aircraft, Voyager can comfortably transport passengers, carry our air-to-air refuelling and carry out aeromed capabilities simultaneously.

The current day capabilities of the Voyager are possible, due to the groundbreaking and blue sky thinking of those now 100 years before us, and all the subsequent research and developments that have taken place.

Air-to-air refuelling has evolved from a visionary concept into a critical capability that has shaped the face of modern aviation. From its humble beginnings in the early 20th century to its pivotal role in military operations today, this remarkable technique has extended the reach and endurance of aircraft, enabling missions that were once deemed impossible.

As technology continues to advance, air-to-air refuelling systems are likely to become even more efficient, reliable, and versatile. With its ability to push the boundaries of flight, there is no doubt that air-to-air refuelling will remain a vital lifeline for aviation, facilitating global mobility, military operations, and humanitarian endeavours for years to come.

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Airbus A330 MRTT performs landmark air-to-air sustainable aviation refuelling mission

• RAF’s VIP Voyager refuels four Eurofighter Typhoons with SAF blend over the North Sea

UK, 3rd May, 2023. One-hundred years since the first ever air-to-air refuelling of an aircraft, the British Royal Air Force (RAF) has carried out a landmark in-flight refuelling exercise with blended sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) using an Airbus Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) Voyager aircraft.

On a crisp Spring morning in the Oxfordshire countryside, the RAF’s VIP Voyager – emblazoned with Union Flag tail and gold-lettered ‘United Kingdom’ livery – taxied on to the Brize Norton runway filled with 43% SAF.

On board were UK Business and Trade Minister Nusrat Ghani MP, members of the media and Airbus’ Filton-based engineer Loraine McIlree, who had led the team which successfully flew the Voyager on 100% SAF from Brize in November.

Loraine said: “Last year, we had the opportunity to push the boundaries and performed a flight test on an in-service military aircraft. I led the technical team for this project and we successfully flew an RAF Voyager A330 MRTT with 100% SAF on both engines, with no fossil fuel on board.

“All our aircraft have been designed to operate with normal jet fuels. SAF has different properties but from our testing we are able to demonstrate how capable our aircraft are for flying with a new type of fuel.

“To clear the aircraft to fly with 100% SAF requires a thorough analysis of all parts of the aircraft impacted by fuel. All materials need to be checked for compatibility, together with the systems adjacent to the fuel tanks. It took months of work to obtain the clearance and it was a great moment to witness the Voyager fly last November with 100% SAF. The flight crew reported no difference in performance during the flight and we captured a lot of data to help us progress towards clearing SAF on our aircraft.”

April’s demonstration flight took sustainability to a new level – refuelling four Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets with blended SAF. The exercise was timed to coincide with the start of the Farnborough Sustainable Skies World Summit, and the VIP Airbus Voyager performed a 500ft low fly-past over Farnborough before landing back at Brize Norton.

Air Vice-Marshal Paul Lloyd said: Providing increased reliability and range, the Voyager aircraft gives the RAF an enhanced capability in support of troop mobility, the movement of military assets, and supports UK air defence.

“With a payload of 43 tonnes of freight and 291 seat passenger capacity, plus an aeromedical evacuation capability, Voyager also delivers flexibility in air mobility to the UK Armed forces in support of military and humanitarian operations.”

During the two days of the Sustainable Skies World Summit, the Jet Zero Council – a partnership between industry and government with the aim of delivering at least 10% SAF in the UK fuel mix by 2030 and zero emission transatlantic flight within a generation – also met.

Defence Minister Baroness Goldie added: “The RAF has identified that using SAF and alternative aviation fuels will be critical for the future operational capability of the RAF and wider military aviation.

“The UK’s SAF programme is already one of the most comprehensive in the world and supports our vision to set the UK up to be a global leader in the development, production, and use of SAF.”

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