Airbus A310 MRTT

{{Short description|Air to air refuelling tanker and transport aircraft}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}{{Use British English|date=November 2020}} {{More citations needed|date=January 2008}}

{{Infobox aircraft | name = A310 MRTT / A310 MRT | image = File:Airbus A310 MRTT.jpg | caption = A310 MRTT of the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) ready for air to air refuelling | type = Multi-role tanker/transport | manufacturer = Airbus Military SAS,<br>Airbus Deutschland,<br>Lufthansa Technik<ref name=Airforce-Technology.com/> | designer = Airbus Military SAS | first_flight = December 2003<ref name=Airforce-Technology.com>{{Cite web|url=https://www.Airforce-Technology.com/projects/mrtt/|title=Airbus A310 MRTT Multi-Role Tanker Transport|website=Airforce-Technology.com|location=London|publisher=Airforce Technology – Verdict Media Limited|access-date=23 November 2020}}</ref> | introduction = October 2004<ref name=Airforce-Technology.com/> | retired = | status = Active service | primary_user = German Air Force<ref name=Airforce-Technology.com/> | more_users = Royal Canadian Air Force<ref name=Airforce-Technology.com/> | produced = | number_built = 6,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.Airbus.com/content/dam/corporate-topics/publications/o&d/ODS-January-2020-Airbus-Militaery-Aircraft.pdf|title=Airbus; Orders, Deliveries, In Operation Military aircraft by Country - Worldwide|website=www.Airbus.com|publisher=Airbus|date=31 January 2020|access-date=12 March 2020|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200414104628/https://www.airbus.com/content/dam/corporate-topics/publications/o%26d/ODS-January-2020-Airbus-Militaery-Aircraft.pdf|archive-date=14 April 2020}}</ref> (from existing A310-300C airframes) | developed_from = Airbus A310-300C<ref name=Airforce-Technology.com/> | successors = Airbus A330 MRTT | variants = Airbus CC-150 Polaris }}

The '''Airbus A310 MRTT Multi-Role Tanker Transport'''<ref name=Airforce-Technology.com/> is a military air-to-air refuelling, or in-flight refuelling tanker transport aircraft, capable of operating multi-role missions. The A310 MRTT tanker aircraft is a subsequent development from the earlier '''Airbus A310 MRT Multi-Role Transport''', which was a military transport aircraft for passengers, cargo, and medical evacuation. The A310 MRT and A310 MRTT are both specialist military conversions of existing airframes of the civilian Airbus A310-300C wide-bodied passenger jet airliner.<ref name=GVT>{{Cite web|last1=Gloth|first1=G.|last2=Göge|first2=D|last3=Polster|first3=M|last4=Will|first4=B.|date=2004|url=https://eLib.DLR.de/14459/|title=Ground Vibration Tests on Airbus A310 MRTT. Project Report, DLR-Interner Bericht. 232-2003 C 12, 183 S.|website=eLib.DLR.de|location=Göttingen|publisher=German Aerospace Centre (DLR)|access-date=27 November 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Pallini|first=Thomas|title=Airbus just beat Boeing to be the first to complete a wholly automated air-to-air refueling operation|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/airbus-a330-achieves-first-aerial-refueling-beats-boeing-2020-4|access-date=2020-12-23|website=Business Insider}}</ref>

==Airbus A310 MRTT== ===Design and development=== [[File:ILA Berlin 2012 PD 101.JPG|thumb|Sectioned scale model of the Luftwaffe A310 MRT, demonstrating its multi-role fitment showing the MedEvac intensive care units, with conventional passenger seating aft.]] [[File:Airbus A310MRTT 2 (7570360328).jpg|Main deck cargo door (port side) open on Luftwaffe A310 MRT 10+25|thumb]] [[File:Airbus A310 MRT MedEvac.jpg|thumb|MedEvac version of Luftwaffe A310 MRT]] thumb|Interior of MedEvac version of Luftwaffe A310 MRT [[File:Patiententransporteinheit.JPG|A MedEvac intensive care unit as used by the Luftwaffe in their A310 MRT|thumb]] [[File:Luftwaffe A310 MRTT P1230313.jpg|thumb|Underside of Luftwaffe A310 MRTT 10+27, displaying the Flight Refuelling Ltd (FRL) Mk32B pods close to the wingtips.]] [[File:CC-150004T (3553656388).jpg|thumb|Close-up of the rear of the FRL Mk32B pods on the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) CC-150 Polaris.]] [[File:A310 (2676738416).jpg|A310 MRTT flying boom air-to-air refuelling system demonstrator from EADS, 2008|thumb]] The Airbus A310 MRTT Multi-Role Tanker Transport is a military derivative of the Airbus A310-300C twin-jet wide-bodied jet airliner. The A310 MRTT was primarily designed for military use as a multi-role air-to-air refuelling tanker, cargo transport, passenger transport, and aeromedical evacuation (MedEvac) aircraft.<ref name=Airforce-Technology.com/>

The aircraft are designed, engineered, manufactured, and modified by Airbus Industrie and EADS subsidiary Airbus Military SAS, along with their subcontractors, which included Airbus Deutschland and Lufthansa Technik.<ref name=Airforce-Technology.com/> The conversion from the A310 MRT involves: *Installation of two air-to-air refuelling (AAR) pods, one under each wing, close to the wingtip;<ref name=Airforce-Technology.com/> *Five additional centre fuel tanks or Additional Centre Tanks (ACT), providing an extra {{Convert|28,000|kg|abbr=off|lk=on}}; giving a total capacity of {{Convert|77,500|kg|abbr=off}}, or {{Convert|96,920|l|abbr=off|lk=on}};<ref name=Airforce-Technology.com/> *Fuel operator station (FOS), in the cockpit immediately behind the captain,<ref name=Airforce-Technology.com/> to control fuel offload, cameras, military radios, and exterior lighting. For MRTT, remote surveillance of approaching / air-to-air refuelling process with a night-vision capable video system had to be developed. This system (developed by a small company from Germany called FTI Group) allows operation both with visible light, and also near-infrared radiation.<ref name=Airforce-Technology.com/> The refuelling monitor was integrated in the year 2008.; *Reinforced wings and aircraft floor; *Minor cockpit modifications. The design of the in-flight refuelling pod and wing reinforcements and systems was subcontracted to ITD SA, at that time part of the Industria de Turbo Propulsores (ITP) Group.

When not used as an in-flight refueller, i.e., in an air cargo role, the A310 MRTT is capable of carrying a non-fuel payload of up to {{Convert|37|t|abbr=off|lk=on}}, or 81,600 lb. When used in a troop transport role, the A310 MRTT can accommodate up to 214 seats. And for a mixed-use combined troop transport and cargo, it can carry 54 troops and 12 pallets.<ref name=Airforce-Technology.com/> The A310 MRTT contains four separate cargo systems within the fuselage, including the main deck cargo compartment, which is loaded and unloaded via the vertically opening main deck cargo door, located on the front left (port) side. This means that main deck cargo can be loaded by overhead crane, in addition to conventional cargo loading platforms. Below deck are three more cargo compartments, and can accommodate container and palletised loads up to {{Convert|96|in|abbr=off}} in height.<ref name=Airforce-Technology.com/>

When used in the aero-medical MedEvac role, the A310 MRTT can accommodate up to six intensive care units, together with 56 conventional stretchers.<ref name=Airforce-Technology.com/>

Operated by a crew of three: two pilots and the air-to-air refuelling (AAR) operator, the pilots are able to directly operate all functions of in-flight refuelling, even if the AAR post is deactivated.<ref name=Airforce-Technology.com/> Depending on mission, the A310 MRTT can deliver up to {{Convert|33|t|abbr=off|lk=on}} of fuel to receiver aircraft on an operation of {{Convert|3,000|nmi|abbr=off|lk=on}}, or up to {{Convert|40|t|abbr=off}} of fuel during a {{Convert|1,000|nmi|abbr=off}} mission. All fuel to receiver aircraft is supplied directly from the centre tank, if necessary, drawing fuel from conventional fuel tanks; this is controlled automatically by the fuel management system together with the centre of gravity computer, to ensure correct fuel feed to the engines, and maintaining the correct centre of gravity in flight.<ref name=Airforce-Technology.com/>

The dual hose and drogue system was supplied by Flight Refuelling Ltd (FRL) of England, and uses the Mk32B pods under each wing on pylons, close to the wingtips. Two receiver aircraft can be refuelled simultaneously, and is capable of delivering {{Convert|15,000|l|abbr=off}} per minute.<ref name=Airforce-Technology.com/>

While the original and current A310 MRTTs rely on probe and drogue for air-to-air refuelling, EADS has invested $90m in research and development of a flying boom refuelling system such as that used by the United States Air Force (USAF). They are now able to offer air tankers from the A310 with air-to-air refuelling pods to the larger A330 MRTT equipped with refuelling booms.{{Clarify|date=November 2020}} When installed, the flying boom system can deliver fuel to receiver aircraft at a rate of {{Convert|1,200|USgal|abbr=off|lk=on}} per minute, and is supplied by two hose drum units (HDU) centrally mounted side by side in the rear fuselage.<ref name=Airforce-Technology.com/>

The A310 MRTT is 30% smaller by MTOW than the newer A330 MRTT. Since the production of A310 airframes was discontinued in 2007,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kaminski-Morrow |first1=David |title=Airbus to close A300 and A310 production line |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/airbus-to-close-a300-and-a310-production-line/66150.article |website=Flight Global |publisher=Flight International |access-date=11 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411235430/https://www.flightglobal.com/airbus-to-close-a300-and-a310-production-line/66150.article |archive-date=11 April 2021}}</ref> the air-to-air refuelling conversion can only be made on existing refurbished airliners, or as an upgrade to A310 MRTs<ref name=GVT/> already used by air forces (the option taken by Germany and Canada). As an air tanker, it has a similar fuel capacity to the KC-135R. Because of the larger passenger cabin, it is much more flexible, offering good capacity for cargo, troop transport, VIP transport, or other uses; and lacking only the capacity to land on rough strips to qualify as a strategic transport. Airbus hopes to sell it to some of the countries that need to replace the aging Boeing 707s they use as tankers.

Pakistan has also ordered MRTT capability built on an A310, although the aircraft is no longer in production.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.DefenseNews.com/story.php?i=3801474|title=Pakistan Eyes Boost in Transport, Lift|website=www.DefenseNews.com|publisher=Defense News|date=3 November 2008|access-date=27 July 2009}}{{Dead link|date=November 2020}}</ref>

==Operators== ===Canada=== The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) converted two of their five existing A310 MRTs to MRTT configuration, which are known as the CC-150 Polaris in Canadian service, the first also delivered October 2004.<ref name=Airforce-Technology.com/>

===Germany=== The German Air Force (Luftwaffe) was the first customer for the MRTT, converting four of their seven existing A310 MRTs, with deliveries starting in October 2004. During June 2007, EADS delivered the first upgraded A310 MRTT with new mission avionics to the German Air Force. This new mission avionics suite facilitated the allocation of the upgraded A310 MRTT to NATO Reaction Forces.<ref name=Airforce-Technology.com/>

The first operational use with the German Luftwaffe took place on {{Start date and age|2009|02|04|df=y}}, when three German Eurofighter Typhoons of Jagdgeschwader 73 ''Steinhoff'' (30+23, 30+25, and 30+38), led by Colonel Andreas Schick, were refuelled en-route by an A310 MRTT tanker aircraft during their deployment from Laage Airbase ({{Langx|de|Flughafen Rostock-Laage}}), Rostock, Germany, to Yelahanka Air Force Station, near Bangalore, India. Despite not yet receiving final approval of in-flight refuelling operations by the German authorities, this air-to-air refuelling mission was sanctioned as part of the A310 MRTTs 'operational testing phase' for in-flight refuelling, and consisted of a flight route of nearly {{Convert|8,200|km|nmi|abbr=off}}, including a stopover at the Al Dahfra airbase ({{Langx|ar|قاعدة الظفرة الجوية}}) in the United Arab Emirates. The objective of the deployment to India was to demonstrate the Eurofighter in a competition for Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA), against competition from the Mikoyan MiG-35, the Saab Gripen, the Lockheed Martin F-16, the Boeing F-18E / F, and the Dassault Rafale.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.FlugRevue.de/de/militaer/streitkraft-operations/eurofighter-der-luftwaffe-treffen-zur-aero-india-in-bangalore-ein.7697.htm|title=Eurofighter der Luftwaffe treffen zur Aero India in Bangalore ein|trans-title=Luftwaffe Eurofighters arrive for Aero India in Bangalore|website=www.FlugRevue.de|language=de|publisher=Flug Revue|date=5 February 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101218221056/http://www.flugrevue.de/de/militaer/streitkraft-operations/eurofighter-der-luftwaffe-treffen-zur-aero-india-in-bangalore-ein.7697.htm|archive-date=18 December 2010|access-date=24 July 2009}}</ref>

==Specifications (A310 MRTT)== {{Aircraft specs |ref= Airforce-Technology.com<ref name=Airforce-Technology.com/> Jane's Aircraft Recognition Guide 5th ed.<ref name="Jane's">Jane's Aircraft Recognition Guide 5th ed. 2007, p.420.</ref> |prime units?= met  |crew= Three (hose and drogue) or four (flying boom) flight crew (two pilots and other flight crew) |capacity= 214 passengers / {{Cvt|40000|kg}} deliverable fuel / {{Cvt|36000|kg}} cargo |length m=47.4 |length note= |span m=43.9 |span note= |height m=15.81 |height note= |wing area sqm= |wing area note= |airfoil= |empty weight kg=113999 |empty weight note= |gross weight kg= |gross weight note= |max takeoff weight kg=164000 |max takeoff weight note= |fuel capacity= |more general=  |eng1 number=2 |eng1 name=General Electric CF6-80C2 ''or'' Pratt & Whitney PW4152 |eng1 type=turbofan jet engines |eng1 kn=262 |eng1 note=  |max speed kmh=978 |max speed note= |max speed mach=0.79 |cruise speed kmh= |cruise speed note= |stall speed kmh= |stall speed note= |never exceed speed kmh= |never exceed speed note= |minimum control speed kmh= |minimum control speed note= |range km=8889 |range note= |combat range km= |combat range note= |ferry range nmi=7000 |ferry range note= |endurance= |ceiling m= |ceiling note= |g limits= |roll rate= |climb rate ms= |climb rate note= |time to altitude= |wing loading kg/m2= |wing loading note= |fuel consumption kg/km= |thrust/weight= |more performance= |avionics= }}

==See also== {{Portal|Aviation|Europe}} {{Aircontent |see also= *Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft |related= *Airbus A310 *Airbus CC-150 Polaris *Airbus A330 MRTT *Northrop Grumman KC-45 |similar aircraft= *Boeing KC-767 *Boeing KC-46 Pegasus |sequence= |lists= *List of military transport aircraft *List of tanker aircraft }}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *{{Commons-inline}} *{{Commons category-inline}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Airbus A310 Mrtt}} Category:Aircraft first flown in 2003 A310 MRTT Category:2000s international military transport aircraft Category:Twinjets Category:Low-wing aircraft Category:German military transport aircraft Category:Canadian military transport aircraft Category:Military tanker aircraft

Category:2000s military tanker aircraft Category:International military tanker aircraft Category:2000s international aircraft Category:2000s international military aircraft