Airbus announces newest evolution of the A330 MRTT
July 23, 2024
The A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT), an aerial refuelling and military transport aircraft, is entering into its newest stage as the MRTT+, announced Airbus. The existing A330 MRTT experience will be applied onto the A330neo body, modernising the platform and improving aspects like fuel, range, and efficiency. The transition will be seamless, using the same fuselage and MRTT capacity, same training for crews, 95% commonality in parts, and same maintenance procedures.
To date, there have been 82 firm orders on the MRTT from 15 nations, with 60 aircraft delivered, and more than 90% market share (excluding the US) in the last 10 years.
This announcement marks another evolution of the A330 MRTT, which started operations in 2011. The MRTT+ will see advances with a new generation wing, optimising aerodynamics and an innovative “sharklet” wingtip design, latest propulsion with the Rolls Royce Trent 7000 and patented nacelle and pylon design to reduce drag, a modernised cabin interior and furnishings, and less fuel consumption of up to 8%.
The MRTT+ will also increase range by 8% and provides more offload capacity than any tanker in the world. “It has exceeded our expectations, and I think this because of its technical capabilities and what the customers can expect from it,” said Jean-Brice Dumont, Head of Air Power, Airbus Defence and Space.
In the next year, Airbus hopes to have full certification of the MRTT+ and be ready for the next step of development. The long term timeline aims to move through a flight test campaign to customer delivery before the end of the decade.
