RAF A330 MRTT Completes Maiden Flight
The Royal Air Force's (RAF) first A330 MRTT future strategic tanker aircraft (FSTA) has completed its maiden flight, following its conversion from a basic A330-200 aircraft. The FSTA took off at 11.41 local time from the Airbus Military facility at Getafe, Madrid, and landed at 13.37 lo
The Royal Air Force’s (RAF) first A330 MRTT future strategic tanker aircraft (FSTA) has completed its maiden flight, following its conversion from a basic A330-200 aircraft.
The FSTA took off at 11.41 local time from the Airbus Military facility at Getafe, Madrid, and landed at 13.37 local time after a flight of two hours.
During the flight, the MRTT, its systems, and two Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines performed satisfactorily and no refuelling activity was undertaken.
The first flight is the beginning of a test campaign that will lead to the first delivery to the RAF by the end of 2011.
The A330 MRTT with wide-body fuselage can also be used as a transport aircraft to carry 300 passengers or a payload of up to 45t (99,000lb).