The second of five A330 multirole tanker transport (MRTT) aircraft for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is to undertake a military certification test at an Airbus Military facility in Madrid.

The A330 MRTT is equipped with an aerial refuelling boom system (ARBS) with all-electric, fly-by-wire controls, plus two digital hose-and-drogue pods under the wings.

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The boom is equipped with an automatic load alleviation system, has an auto-disconnect envelope for each receiver, and has been designed under the back-up concept (fail operational, fail safe).

The A330 MRTT was outfitted as a tanker in Brisbane, Australia, by Qantas Aviation Services with the support of EADS.

The conversion for the first two A330 MRTTs is complete and ongoing for the third at Qantas Aviation Services in Australia.

Delivery to the RAAF is expected to take place by mid 2010.

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