Consortium Notes 'Competitive Success' Against KC-767
The Royal Saudi Air Force announced
this week it will acquire EADS A330 Multi-role Tanker/Transport
(MRTT) -- a move EADS says puts its offering in the USAF KC-X
contract bid in an even better competitive position, and further
consolidates the MRTT's position as the most operationally flexible
global aerial refueling platform.
Saudi Arabia's A330 MRTTs will be equipped with EADS’
centerline-mounted Air Refueling Boom System (ARBS) and a pair of
underwing hose and drogue refueling pods. The configuration is
similar to that specified for the Royal Australian Air
Force’s refueling aircraft, as well as proposed for the
Northrop Grumman KC-30 Tanker offered in the US Air Force KC-135
replacement competition.
The Saudi decision marks the A330 MRTT’s fourth
consecutive international win, and follows previous A330 MRTT
selections by US allies Australia, Great Britain and the United
Arab Emirates (UAE).
"Saudi Arabia’s competitive choice is another validation
of the A330 MRTT’s superior capabilities as a tanker and a
true force multiplier," said John Young, CEO of EADS North America
Tankers. "It demonstrates the competitive strengths of this very
capable tanker/transport platform, which is being offered as the
KC-30 Tanker by our team leader, Northrop Grumman, for the US Air
Force’s tanker fleet recapitalization."
EADS notes the twin-engine A330 MRTT -- and the KC-30 advanced
Tanker variant offered in KC-X -- provides in-flight refueling
capability, plus full flexibility in cargo delivery, passenger
transport, aeromedical evacuation and other missions. That level of
flexibility and capacity for multi role missions exceeds other
refueling platforms offered on the market today... most notably
Boeing's smaller, albeit less expensive, KC-767, which is intended
to serve primarily as an in-flight refueler.
A330 MRTT production is well underway, EADS states, with the
Royal Australian Air Force's first aircraft being readied for
delivery. Its mission equipment includes the fly-by-wire Air
Refueling Boom System, the pair of underwing refueling pods, and an
electronic warfare self-protection suite to counter surface-to-air
missiles.
Saudi Arabia’s A330 MRTT order adds to the growing
military and civil bookings for the A330 series of twin-engine
aircraft. To date, more than 900 sales have been logged for A330s,
including the military tanker/transports, the new A330-200F
Freighter, and civilian airliners for domestic and international
carriers.