Kc-30bs, Possible c/ns of 4

[Warhawk]

MIA

[Mick Raftery]

Pic of first flight of MSN 951 ( Test Registration F-WWYR) on April 14th :-

http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=6224986&nseq=1

Due in Brisbane early next month for conversion ?

Mick

[Mick Raftery]

Delivery flight this weekend.

Pictured arriving at Singapore yesterday. (image from bbs.feeyo.com)

[Mick Raftery]

Whoops



Attached Image

[Mick Raftery]

Touchdown at Brisbane this morning :-




Attached Image

[Mick Raftery]

Outside the tanker conversion hangar :-




Attached Image

[Demon50]

I believe that c/n 1036 will be the fifth KC30B.

[Mick Raftery]

Thanks Gordy.

One more outside QANTAS Hangar 1 at Brisbane - plenty of work to be done !



Attached Image

[davesoda]

Great Pics, guys I think its fantastic that the KC-30s are being modified here, are there anymore pics?

[Mick Raftery]

Taurus Uno ?

A39-002 now out in the sunshine with some new dangly bits.



Attached Image

[Mick Raftery]

"CASA Zero Zero Two" conducted an eventful flight today. Slight hiccup with the landing gear which did a nice yo-yo impersonation - down,up,down on departure. Landed OK.

Other side of tail features a black Skippy motif.

Mick



Attached Image

[Mick Raftery]

Another angle :-



Attached Image

[Mick Raftery]

One more



Attached Image

[Luig]

A330 MRTT Compilation 0435.wmv Dec 16th 2009

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdQ_UJi-uWk

"EADS North America has released footage of the A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) passing fuel to a Lockheed Martin F-16."

[Luig]

SAME VIDEO AS ABOVE just text about it.

"A330 MRTT Certification Video Posted by Christopher Fotos at 12/18/2009

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&newspaperUserId=27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7&plckPostId=Blog%3a27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post%3af4ca0bf3-7a8d-428d-aa54-e7c558ec71e3&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest

Some footage came in to us today of the A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT), shot during certification flights in October and November (The Northrop Grumman-EADS A330-based KC-45 is that team's offering in the U.S. KC-X tanker competition).

Here are some details provided to us about the video from EADS North America:

The MRTT in the video is the first one for the Royal Australian Air Force, refueling F-16s and F/A-18s. All the contacts you see are “wet contacts” (i.e., fuel was passed) using the same refueling systems that are offered on the KC-45: the “fly-by-wire, fully digital Advanced Aerial Refueling Boom System,” and the Cobham 905E all-digital hose-and-drogue systems under the wings.

The KC-45 would also include the Fuselage Refueling Unit (internal hose-and-drogue system) on centerline, for a total of three hose-and-drogue units. The FRU is featured on other customers’ configurations of the MRTT, but not on the Australian one. So far, the aircraft in the video has passed a total of more than 50,000 pounds of fuel via its boom, and more than 75,000 pounds via hose-and-drogue.

The boom’s maximum fuel flow rate is 1,200 U.S. gallons per minute. The pods can deliver up to 420 gallons of fuel per minute. Aerial refueling operations are controlled from a Remote Aerial Refueling Operator console in the cockpit behind the pilots, incorporating the enhanced 3-D vision system with laser infrared lighting and high-definition digital stereoscopic viewing. You can see the primary and back-up cameras on the belly, aft of the wing."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oL4h0b9Hess

[darren.crick]

ok, mate happy to start their page, can you tieup to serials...

[Mick Raftery]

Next Airbus A332 for conversion arrived Brisbane yesterday.

EC-336 c/n 1036 to become A39-004 (?)

Mick

This post has been edited by Mick Raftery on Jun 19 2010, 06:40 PM

Attached Image

[Martin Edwards]

Thanks Mick
I have started an album in photo gallery

http://www.adf-gallery.com.au/gallery/Airbus-A330

I willrefine it as correct serial numbers are known
Cheers
Martin

[Mick Raftery]

Number 3 appeared in the sunshine last week with all the new attachments and Number 4 vanished into the conversion hangar for its ( probably year long ) makeover.

Hope to see A39-003 airborne shortly.

Mick



Attached Image

[herkman]

I wonder if now Krudd has been defrocked, if Angus will get the two tankers he stole.

Does anyone know the story on their freight floors

Regards

Col

[Demon50]

I don't know a thing about the freight floors other than freight hauling is not the KC30s' role. They will be used as tanker aircraft and to carry passengers and that's it.

This info is several years old and there may have been a rethink but I don't recall reading anything more about it. Lack of funds and the RAAF being the first operator were the main reasons I think that strenghthened floors were not specified.

Seems really odd to me that we have given up a great chance to acquire a real multi role aircraft that would have offered so much more uplift capacity to the RAAF.

[mark]

A standard civilian A330 has a freight/baggage capacity of maybe 45ton depending on pax load,seating configuration,fuel load etc etc. So the RAAF KC-30 should have a
freight/baggage capacity using the lower deck as used by civil A330's. However I would think some of the lower deck area would be taken up by the fuel tanks used in the type AAR role thus reducing the availabe freight/baggage tonnage.
Civilian Wide Bodied aircraft like A330's,747's,DC-10 etc etc carry palletized freight just
like dedicated freighters like C-17s, however of different dimensions. I would imagine
the RAAF will obtain freight pallets/containers for the A330 (which would also be compatibale with Qantas and other civilian type wide bodied aircraft).


PS...I believe the standard military size pallet is 108 x 88 inches (463L), but airlines
generally use 125 x 88inches or 125 x 96inches pallets

Regards Mark

[herkman]

I was under the impression that the RAAF wanted a freight floor but at the time of ordering it was not yet developed.

It is also my understanding that the cost was high but as the USAF requirement for a freight floor was paramount that we could get it as a retrofit, at a much lower price.

Their could be a strong need to ensure our tankers could also have this ability.

It needs to be understood that depending upon how the rails are installed that 463L pallets ( the standard military pallet can be carried in the 88 X 108 configeration.)

Regards

Col

[Demon50]

Hi Mark

I think the discussion about the freight floor really applies to the main deck flooring as Herkman suggests and as I understand the issue, not what can be carried below the deck.

I also think that Herkman is correct about the floor not being developed at an early stage and budgetary problems snookered the RAAF's desire anyway.

Now, a few years later, civilian A330 freighters are slowly starting to roll off the assembly line and I very much doubt that the Australian Government would want to spend extra funds on a refit in the near future as the type hasn't even entered service yet and is years away from full operational capability.

And it will be interesting to see whether other purchasers such as the RAF, Royal Saudi Air Force and United Arab Emirates Air Force have specified a main deck cargo capability and how they configure their KC30Bs (or whatever designation they call them.) I doubt that the latter two Air Forces would suffer from budgetary constraints.

As an aside, it's also interesting to note that there are 35 B777 freighters in service already with more due in the next few months.

[mark]

Thanks Herkman I appreciate the comments concerning pallet fitment.

Demon50,yes you are right the discussion is more about the main deck.

Hopefully one day at an airshow I might get to see the workings of a RAAF
A330 (but I really would like to get aboard a C-17).

Regards Mark

[Demon50]

Slightly off topic but interesting to report nevertheless was the delivery of Etihad Crystal Cargo's second A330-243F freighter on 17 September. There are firm orders for 64 of the type from operators around the world.

According to the Airbus website, the A330F has a capacity of 70 tonnes and range up to 4,000 nautical miles. Pallets and containers can be carried in different arrangements on the main and lower decks.

Gee, I still think that this is the one that got away. I reckon there would have been far less risk to Australia had we been the leader as Airbus has had extensive experience in converting A300s and A310s to freighters.

It's a great shame considering the money wasted on other projects in recent years.

[Joe Barr]

From another Message site it seems that c/n 1183 which is expected to be A39-005 was seen on the production line at a Toulouse Families Day on Sunday 19 September in primer but without any test registration as yet.

Joe

[Mick Raftery]

First post-conversion flight today of A39-003.



Attached Image

[Rod Farquhar]

From a very small article (and somewhat innacurate) in the Advertiser the other day, Defence has finally admitted that this project has now been aded to their "Projects of Concern" list.
The article was headed "Tankers for the Navy" as if!! Sorry Phil.
Rod.

[Luig]

No Offence taken RAD. :o

[Mick Raftery]

And A39-003 departing Brisbane for Nellis AFB on 15th Oct 2010 - using Callsign AME1001

More shots among the showers !

Mick



Attached Image

[Mick Raftery]

Seems that today's planned handover in Madrid of the first tanker has been delayed.

Source : Australian Aviation

[QUOTE]
There are hopes a final resolution to the delivery schedule can be determined by February and deliveries can commence soon after, and that an Airbus crewed KC-30 will be on display at March’s Australian International Airshow at Avalon.[/QUOTE]

[Mick Raftery]

Whoops.

An in-flight incident occurred during a training flight for Airbus Military staff, involving an Australian KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft and a Portuguese Air Force F-16 fighter aircraft.

The aircraft was being operated by Airbus Military Corporation. No Australian personnel were on board the MRTT at the time of the incident.

The incident resulted in the detachment and partial loss of the refuelling boom from the MRTT, which fell into the sea.

Both aircraft suffered some damage but returned safely to their home airfields.[I]

Source : Defence Media

[Brendan Cowan]

That wan't help it get off the troubled projects list.

:(

BC

[herkman]

A fairly normal problem.

A F16 hit the receiver too fast and it broke off, the boom went upwards and hit the
underneath of the Airbus.

Pilot error in this case.

There have been quite a few incidents of this type.

F16 had some minor damage.

I doubt if it will affect any deliveries very much.

Regards

Col

[Aardvark]

The incident appears to be more serious than what is being said.

Reading the many articles already on the web it would appear that the F-16 was attached at the time when one of the boom control surfaces failed/broke causing the boom to become uncontrollable and striking the underside of the tanker with the entire or a very large portion of boom separating from the aircraft and falling into the ocean, not just the extending probe of the boom that connects to the receiving aircraft.

Anyway read the articles and make your own assessment from what information is available but it is good to see that the F-16 pilot has already been blamed for the incident so that should simplify things for EADS.

[wombatair]

:unsure: FYI Airforces Monthly March 11 issue has a short report (page 97).
Lindsay

[Andy Marden]

Just for interest I saw A39-002 and A39-003 outside at Madrid/Getafe last weekend. Both were fully painted, but only the last three of the serial is carried, on the nosewheel door.
Andy Marden

[Mick Raftery]

Thanks for the update Andy - must be getting closer.

Spotted this announcement from last Wednesday.

Australia is on the verge of taking delivery of its first two A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft, in the first of a host of deliveries for the platform that are scheduled for 2011.
Speaking to reporters at LAAD 2011 in Rio de Janeiro on 13 April, Damien Allard, Airbus Military’s MRTT market development manager, said the first two aircraft for Australia were ready to be delivered while the following two of the five aircraft ordered were expected to follow by the end of the year.

Source : Shephard News

Mick

[Mick Raftery]

Last A332 for the KC-30A fleet arrived for tanker conversion by QDS in Brisbane this morning.

Mick



Attached Image

[Mick Raftery]

First delivery this weekend.

The first Airbus Military A330 MRTT new generation tanker/transport for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has left Madrid at 10h00 local time 27th May on its ferry flight to Australia.

Designated the KC-30A in RAAF service, the aircraft is scheduled to arrive at RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland on Monday 30 May, and to be formally handed over to the customer in the next few days.

On its ferry flight, the A330 MRTT is being flown by Airbus Military and RAAF crews, and will transit via McCarran (Nevada) and Hickam (Hawaii) in the USA.

Source Credit : EADS

[batman]

I am guessing that the arrival today will be A39-002? This assumes the aircraft damaged in F-16 trails was A39-001.

Hopefully A39-003 will not be long behind.

[Mick Raftery]

A39-003 went to the head of the queue.

Touch down at 2:37 pm 30th May after ferry flight to RAAF Amberley.

Mick



Attached Image

[Mick Raftery]

Good to finally see a grey one after 7 years !

Mick

Attached Image

[Luig]

OLD NEWS NOW EH? :D

Australia to receive first Airbus Military A330 MRTT By Dominic Perry

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2011/05/27/357285/pictures-australia-to-receive-first-airbus-military-a330-mrtt.html

"The Royal Australian Air Force is about to take delivery of its first Airbus Military A330 multi-role tanker transport after the aircraft departed on its ferry flight from Madrid at 10.00 local time on 27 May.

Designated the KC-30A in RAAF service, the aircraft is scheduled to arrive at RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland on Monday 30 May. It will transit via McCarran airport in Nevada and Hickam AFB in Hawaii.

The news marks the beginning of the end of a long and troubled development saga for the KC-30A, which was originally due to be delivered in 2009. The delays resulted in a tanker gap for the RAAF, obliging it to rely on tankers operated by allies and by private tanker contractor Omega Refueling Services.

The General Electric CF6-80E-powered aircraft is the second converted by Qantas Defence Services in Brisbane. It was returned to Airbus Military's Madrid site for painting and finishing. It will be joined by the second tanker for the RAAF in June, and two further aircraft later in the year.

The fifth and final aircraft ordered by the RAAF, which arrived in Brisbane for conversion a few days ago, will be delivered next year.

In RAAF service, the A330 MRTT will be equipped with two underwing refuelling pods, the fly-by-wire Airbus Military aerial refuelling boom system and a universal aerial refuelling receptacle slipway installation, enabling it to be refuelled from another tanker. It also has 270 passenger seats.

The first aircraft to have been converted is having instrumentation removed by Iberia Maintenance following the completion of flight-test activities. It will then have a new air refuelling boom system installed, to replace the one which was lost during a training mishap involving a Portuguese air force Lockheed Martin F-16 in January. Delivery of this aircraft could occur toward the end of this year.

Airbus Military officials speaking at Getafe, Spain on 18 May refused to reveal full details of the January incident, but said it was the result of human error and that "the boom was not out of the [flight] envelope". A human/machine interface modification that adds a stick-shaker function to the boom operator's controls will give "better feedback" in the future, it said. The enhancement was certificated on 29 April, but has not been requested by the Australian customer."

This post has been edited by Luig on May 30 2011, 11:11 PM

[batman]

Thanks for the pics Mick.

It has MRTT003 on the rear fuselage, can't see any rego carried for the ferry.

[Mick Raftery]

Thanks Batman.

Callsign used was 'CASA Three Three Four ' and still showing as EC-334.

Mick

Attached Image

[GregHyde]

The First A39-003 was handed over at RAAF Amberely on 01/06/2011.

The announcement & story was in the latest RAAF News.

The aircraft (969) had it's first flight as F-WWYQ on 24/10/2008. Later it was transferred to CASA/(EADS as EC-334.

[Warhawk]

It seems that this KC-30A is only on a limited airworthy release per its function by the Spanish

Only the Underwing pods can be used for refueling.

I'm not sure whether this one was delivered for crew training flying only, and/or for general trooping.

Ferry Registration under the wings also MRTT003. EAD's own rego or Spanish /NATO Military??? I dare say these will be removed, if not already along with the blank covers on the fin to reveal A39-003.

Nice looking aircraft I must say. Hate to fill it!

Cheers
Gordy :ph34r:

Attached Image

[Aardvark]

Flew over my house, Ipswich, late this afternoon, wasn't quick enough with the camera. Could not see the tail number.