This article first appeared in Aerospace Daily & Defense Report.
The Australian Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT), the first developmental Airbus A330-based tanker, has been grounded since March while receiving new parts for its refueling boom system.
The MRTT also is receiving some production configuration equipment, such as the remote air refueling station and other mission systems, during this time on the ground. This follows what Northrop Grumman officials say was the first phase of MRTT flight-test last year and this year.
The MRTT is expected to return to flight by September, according to Tim Paynter, a Northrop Grumman spokesman. He declined to provide dates for when the A330-based boom is expected to transfer fuel in flight to a receiver.
What is actually being done to the boom during this period is a bit murky. The boom will receive some additional parts and modifications while the aircraft is on the ground. The actual structure of the boom on the MRTT will remain on the aircraft. But, EADS is switching out some parts and bringing it up to a “full production configuration,” Paynter said.
This is the same boom that was showcased by EADS during last year’s Paris Air Show. EADS has developed this boom specifically to compete with Boeing in the international tanker market. The boom on the A330 has not yet been extended during flight.
The boom system has been flying on an A310 test bed conducting various risk reduction activities. It first passed fuel to a receiver, an F-16, on Feb. 29 (Aerospace DAILY, April 4).
William Welser, Northrop Grumman Air Mobility Systems vice president, discussed the plans for MRTT during a luncheon April 29 in Arlington, Va., hosted by the National Aeronautical Association. Until this briefing, Northrop Grumman and EADS North America, its U.S. tanker partner, had been tight-lipped about the system’s status.
The Australian tanker program was previously restructured to allow more time for development, though a slide in Welser’s briefing says the program is now “on schedule, on performance [and] on cost.” It is slated for delivery to Australia in March 2009.
The Northrop Grumman/EADS North America team won the U.S. Air Force’s contract for development of a future tanker in February, but work has been stopped on the program since last month when Boeing, its rival, filed a protest of the award with the Government Accountability Office. GAO is expected to rule on the matter June 19.
Read more on this story, Lockheed's Vulture UAV, threats to LCS2 and the big fighter comp in India from our friends at Aviation Week over on Military.com.
-- Christian
Well, if you say that... but I'm not totally convinced.^^
I understand, it's incredible that the USAF can be choose a foreigner tanker (this is a strategic plane, a multiplier force).
In europe, we can listen/read that the MRTT or KC45 is not only a tanker, but a cargo too.
And it's good for USAF to have an plane with this capacity to support C17 who are highly sought. (I suppose it was for that, the USAF choose the plane but your coments make me doubt.)
If the USAF want only a tanker to replace KC135 with not other capacity, yes it's ridiculous to buy KC45, and I understand your coments. :)
For Airbus delay, I'm not agree with you Smith, the prototype fly, he hasn't got problem unlike KC767. (for the price, it's another problem^^)
And for delay, it's a little problem, regarding the Pentagone programs, and A400M program in europe ;)
In a francophone forum, we had discussed about the program, and I found this comparative of Airbus:
http://www.checksix-forums.com/showthread.php?t=143067&page=8
It's interesting to see the different opinion. Please, read the other page. :)
Have a nice day.
Posted by: LighTning at May 5, 2008 05:12 AM