The second A330 multirole tanker transport (MRTT) future strategic tanker aircraft (FSTA) for the Royal Air Force (RAF) has completed its maiden flight, following its conversion.

The A330, converted from a basic A330-200 by Airbus Military, flew for two hours during its first flight and its two Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines performed satisfactorily.

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Featuring a wide-body fuselage, the A330 MRTT can also be used as a transport aircraft to carry 300 passengers or a payload of 45t (99,000lb).

The A330 is equipped with air-to-air refuelling systems including an advanced military aerial refuelling boom system (ARBS), a pair of under-wing hose and drogue pods and a fuselage refuelling unit.

Airbus Military obtained military certification for A330 MRTT from the Spanish military certification authority Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Aerospacial (INTA) on 5 October.

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