Spain-based Indra has been contracted by Airbus Defence and Space to supply a full-flight simulator (FFS) to support pilot flight-training on the A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT).
The contract will see the company installing a Level D FFS at the Airbus Defence and Space International Training Centre in Seville, Spain.
Expected to become operational in 2018, the FFS will also enable the training of pilots in hose-and-drogue refuelling operations, and to act as a receiver from other tankers.
Airbus Military Aircraft Services head Stephan Miegel said: "This investment will improve the quality of the training that we offer, reduce its cost, and enable us to offer a more comprehensive support product.
"It offers the opportunity of greatly reducing the amount of aircraft flight hours required to train air-to-air refuelling (AA) crews.
"We are also examining the most cost-effective way to link the FFS to a Part-Task Trainer that would allow training of complete crews on AAR using the refuelling boom system in addition to hose-and-drogue."
The A330 MRTT aircraft, with a basic fuel capacity of 111t, can perform air-to-air refuelling missions without the need for any additional fuel tank.
It comes with a choice of air-to-air refuelling systems such as an advanced Airbus Defence and Space aerial refuelling boom system, and / or a pair of under-wing hose and drogue pods, and / or a fuselage refuelling unit.
With this acquisition, Airbus will have simulators for its entire range of transport aircraft which includes CN235, C295, A330 MRTT and A400M.
Image: An A330 MRTT during refuelling demonstration. Photo: courtesy of Chris Phutully.
