Aircraft
Delays Still Cloud Airbus A330 Tanker Program
The first A330MRTT Voyager for the UK Royal Air Force lands at its homebase, Brize Norton. It is being used only for transport flights, with wing pods removed, pending the start of air refueling training. (Photo: AirTanker)
The first A330MRTT Voyager for the UK Royal Air Force lands at its homebase, Brize Norton. It is being used only for transport flights, with wing pods removed, pending the start of air refueling training. (Photo: AirTanker)

Technical issues continue to affect the Airbus Military A330MRTT Multi-Role Tanker-Transport program, delaying full operational capability with four air forces that are due to receive a total of 28 aircraft ordered to date. A second refueling boom separated from an A330MRTT during a test flight in Spain in September. But the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is likely to clear the new tanker for routine hose-and-drogue refueling of F/A-18A/B Hornet fighters next month. And in the UK, the company that is providing 14 A330MRTTs to the Royal Air Force (RAF) told AIN that it would start air-to-air refueling training in the first quarter of next year, despite earlier delays and flight-test problems.