Airbus Sees Progress, and a Setback, for A330MRTT | Aviation International News

Airbus Sees Progress, and a Setback, for A330MRTT

Airbus Military has flight-tested the fuselage refueling unit (FRU) of the /

By Chris Pocock • Defense Correspondent

February 4, 2011

Airbus Military has flight-tested the fuselage refueling unit (FRU) of the A330 multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) for the first time. The Cobham-supplied FRU is a hose-and-drogue system that is fitted to the version destined for the UK Royal Air Force as its future strategic tanker aircraft (FSTA). It transfers fuel at a greater rate than the underwing hose-and-drogue units that Cobham supplies for all A330MRTTs. In the test, one of two FSTA versions now flying passed fuel to a pair of Spanish air force F-18 fighters.

But in another test flight from Getafe, Madrid, last month, the air-refueling boom of a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) A330MRTT (or KC-30A) broke during contact with a Portuguese Air Force F-16. Both aircraft were damaged but landed safely.

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