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.
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.
