Australia announces order for two more KC-30A Multirole Tanker Transport aircraft

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World Defense & Security News - Australia
 
 
 
Australia announces order for two more KC-30A Multirole Tanker Transport aircraft
 
The Australian Government will purchase two additional Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft, designated as KC-30A in the Australian armed forces, for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) . The two additional KC-30A aircraft will be delivered in 2018 and provide a substantial increase to the air-to-air refuelling capacity of the RAAF, the Australian DoD announced today, July 1st.
     
The Australian Government will purchase two additional Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft, designated as KC-30A in the Australian armed forces, for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) . The two additional KC-30A aircraft will be delivered in 2018 and provide a substantial increase to the air-to-air refuelling capacity of the RAAF, the Australian DoD announced today, July 1st. RAAF KC-30A Multirole Tanker Transport aircraft
     
The Australian Department of Defence has signed an update to the existing acquisition contract with Airbus Defence and Space for the two aircraft and associated conversion at a cost of approximately AUD $408mn (US $528 mn).

Based at RAAF Base Amberley and operated by Number 33 Squadron, the five KC-30As currently is service in the RAAF feature advanced mission systems, including military communications and navigation, an electronic warfare self-protection system for protection against threats from surface-to-air missiles.

The KC-30A MRTT is fitted with two forms of air-to-air refuelling systems - an Aerial Refuelling Boom System mounted on the tail of the aircraft, which comprises a 'fly-by-wire' boom refuel system; and a pair of all-electric refuelling pods underneath each wing, which unreel a hose-and-drogue to refuel probe-equipped aircraft. These systems are controlled by an Air Refuelling Operator in the cockpit, who can view refuelling on 2D and 3D screens.

Each KC-30A has a fuel capacity of more than 100 tonnes, and can offload fuel via the 17-metre-long Aerial Refuelling Boom System or the two hose-and-drogue refuelling pods.

The aircraft is capable of refuelling F/A-18A/B Hornets, F/A-18F Super Hornets, E-7A Wedgetail, C-17A Globemasters and other KC-30A aircraft.

In the future it will refuel EA-18G Growler, P-8A Poseidon and the F-35A (Joint Strike Fighter) providing a force-multiplier so aircraft can remain on station longer, extending their range and persistence.

The KC-30A continues to play an important role in the Middle East region as part of Operation OKRA, refuelling both a growing number of Australian and Coalition fighter aircraft.

Since September 2014, the KC-30A deployed to Operation OKRA has delivered more than more than 10,800 tonnes of fuel.

The additional two aircraft will be based at RAAF Base Amberley, increasing our KC-30A fleet to seven.