Announcement Comes As USAF Issues KC-X RFP

In what is surely not a coincidence -- coming on the same day the USAF released its request for proposal on a new aerial refueling tanker -- EADS North America told ANN Wednesday it has  successfully completed a series of key milestones with its own Air Refueling Boom System (ARBS), including fully extending and maneuvering the refueling boom in-flight.

This sets the stage for the next phase of flight evaluations intended to clear its use throughout the full refueling test and operations envelope. EADS says the jet has completed 11 previous flight tests and associated milestones since flight testing began in March 2006.

Like the boom system on Boeing's 767-based offering, EADS's ARBS uses an all-electric, fly-by-wire control system. The company says it's the result of a nearly three year, $100 million EADS self-funded research and development effort. EADS estimates the maximum nominal fuel flow rate at 1,200 gallons per minute.

Without providing details, the company claims receivers will enjoy a larger air refueling envelope -- the area within which the receiver must remain while in contact -- via an automatic load alleviation system, which provides for enhanced boom controllability. The system even sports a 3D-vision surveillance system allowing the boom operator to remotely control the ARBS from the cockpit.

EADS says its ARBS will be integrated into the Northrop Grumman KC-30 Tanker aircraft proposed for the US Air Force KC-135 Tanker replacement competition. It also will soon equip the fleet of five EADS KC-30B tanker aircraft ordered by the Royal Australian Air Force.

In the most recent flight test, the refueling boom successfully completed seven full extension deployments and subsequent recoveries to the stowed position. Tests included evaluation of the boom’s operational flight envelope and overall handling characteristics. The system also performed in-flight flutter tests at different extended boom lengths and at a variety of aircraft bank angles -- reflecting operational use and conditions.

A chase aircraft participated in the flight test and validated the Pilot Director Light (PDL) system functionality from a pre-contact position, a precursor to testing the system while in contact with a receiver.

"Our ARBS is the most capable refueling system ever designed and the ongoing validation testing clearly demonstrates its ability to service a full range of aircraft," said EADS North America Chairman and CEO Ralph D. Crosby, Jr. "The pace and success of our boom development and test activities are well on schedule to meet the requirements of the Northrop Grumman-led KC-30 team bid for the U.S. Air Force KC-135 replacement competition, as well as the Royal Australian Air Force KC-30B program."

EADS says the Royal Australian Air Force’s first KC-30B Multi-Role Tanker Transport is undergoing its outfitting process, during which the aircraft will be equipped with a centerline ARBS, a pair of under-wing pods with hose and drogue refueling systems (the same fourth-generation model series as currently in operational service on the US Air Force MC-130 and the EADS A310 tankers flown by Canada and Germany), and an electronic warfare self-protection suite for defense against surface-to-air missiles.

FMI: www.eads.com