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Milestones
EADS North America’s KC-45 is a version of the proven, flying A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport, which will be delivered to U.S. allied nations beginning this year.
Key milestones of our tanker program are outlined below, highlighting the wide range of successes achieved by this mature system.
2010
July 12
EADS North America relocates its KC-45 program team to Mobile, Alabama, reinforcing the company’s commitment to build the KC-45 in Mobile. A large rally brings out hundreds of supporters to welcome the KC-45 team to the community, which is already home to EADS North America and Airbus facilities.
July 8
EADS North America submits its 8,800-plus page proposal in the U.S. Air Force’s tanker competition – one day ahead of the due date. The company’s KC-45 offering is fully responsive to the U.S. Air Force Request for Proposal for its new aerial refueling aircraft.
April 20
EADS North America announces that it intends to submit a proposal on July 9, 2010 for the U.S. Air Force’s tanker modernization program and will offer the KC-45 – the most capable, American-built solution that is flown, proven and in production now.
March 18
The U.S. Defense Department indicates it would welcome a proposal from EADS North America as prime contractor for the KC-X tanker competition. The company’s competitive offering would be based on the successful A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport. A total of 28 A330 MRTTs have been ordered by four U.S. allies, with aircraft already in production or undergoing mission equipment outfitting for Australia, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
March 17
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) awards its Supplemental Type Certificate for our tanker – the first-ever civil certification issued by EASA for a European-developed tanker/transport aircraft.
February 2
More than 65,000 lbs. of fuel is transferred from our tanker during two missions with a French Air Force E-3F AWACS, validating its ability to refuel a wide range of receiver aircraft.
2009
November 23
During a flight test sortie with two F/A-18 fighters, our tanker performs the first simultaneous fuel transfer with its all-digital hose-and-drogue system.
November 12
Our tanker performs its first fuel transfers with the all-digital 905E hose-and-drogue system. This mission utilizes the aircraft’s left and right under-wing pods, with more than 9,200 lbs. of fuel transferred to an F/A-18 aircraft.
November 9
A first nighttime refueling operation is performed by our tanker. This flight confirms the Aerial Refueling Boom System’s superior operational capabilities during challenging night missions.
October 22
During operations with two F-16 fighters, our tanker conducts its first in-flight refueling utilizing the integrated Aerial Refueling Boom System.
August 26
The second A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport for Australia completes its mission equipment outfitting with a successful “power on” milestone.
July 28
Saudi Arabia orders three additional A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft, doubling this nation’s original purchase.
July 15
The first A330 slated for the United Kingdom’s Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) program arrives in Madrid, Spain, to begin its conversion into a Multi Role Tanker Transport.
July 8
The EADS-developed advanced Aerial Refueling Boom System demonstrates its superior nighttime operational capabilities during a multi-contact mission with an F-16 fighter aircraft.
June 2
Another important flight test milestone is achieved with the first successful in-flight contacts using its advanced Cobham 905E hose-and-drogue refueling pods. These tests are performed by an aircraft built for the Royal Australian Air Force, with an F/A-18A fighter as receiver aircraft.
May 12
Flutter testing is concluded, confirming the advanced Aerial Refueling Boom Systems’ ideal handling characteristics in a range of flight conditions.
April 28
Flying as a receiver aircraft, our tanker performs two airborne sorties with a French Air Force C-135 tanker. A total of 20 contacts are made during these operations.
March 3
Another program milestone is reached with delivery of the first wing set for the U.K.’s Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft.
January 22
OUr tanker is validated as a receiver aircraft for in-flight refueling after multiple contacts with an A310 testbed platform equipped with the Aerial Refueling Boom System.
2008
August 7
The advanced Aerial Refueling Boom System (ARBS) completes its testing and validation phase. Over the final two-day flight test period, the ARBS conducts more than 20 contacts with an F-16 fighter aircraft on its way to fulfilling all remaining test objectives.
July 23
EADS’ Aerial Refueling Boom System performs multiple aerial contacts with an operational Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft, confirming its ability to support large aircraft in U.S., NATO, and allied air forces.
July 16
The conversion process begins for the Royal Australian Air Force’s second A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport.
June 30
The EADS-developed Aerial Refueling Boom System completes its 100th test flight, marking a key achievement for the world’s most advanced aerial refueling system.
March 27
The United Kingdom finalizes an agreement for 14 of our tankers to serve its Royal Air Force in aerial refueling and transport missions.
March 3
The U.S. Air Force selects the KC-45A tanker aircraft – which is derived from the A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport – for recapitalization of its aerial refueling fleet.
February 26
The United Arab Emirates announces its purchase of our tankers, which are to serve as air-to-air refueling aircraft for the UAE Air Force and Air Defense.
January 3
Saudi Arabia chooses our tanker, marking this aircraft’s fourth consecutive international win.
2007
December 10
EADS’ Aerial Refueling Boom System performs its first in-flight contacts with a receiver aircraft, operating with an F-16 receiver aircraft at 27,000 ft.
September 25
The first KC-30 – which is based on the A330 MRTT, and proposed for the U.S. Air Force’s tanker replacement program – completes its maiden flight less than 75 days from the start-up of assembly.
August 23
Integrated on an A310 testbed aircraft, the EADS-developed Aerial Refueling Boom System marks completion of more than 130 hours of evaluations during 50 flights. This milestone readies the ARBS for its next testing phase, which involve in-flight contacts and airborne fuel transfers with a variety of receiver aircraft.
July 9
The advanced Aerial Refueling Boom System (ARBS) completes ground validation procedures. This milestone permits the next phase of testing, which will involve in-flight contacts and airborne fuel transfers of the ARBS with a full range of receiver aircraft.
June 22
Australia’s first A330 MRTT takes part in the 2007 Paris Air Show’s flight presentation, equipped with its Aerial Refueling Boom System and two under-wing hose-and-drogue refueling pods.
June 18
EADS brings the Royal Australian Air Force’s first A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport to the Paris Air Show for its international debut. The aircraft is joined by an A310 MRTT that recently was delivered to the German Air Force.
June 15
The Royal Australian Air Force’s A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport completes its first flight, which is performed several weeks ahead of the planned flight test schedule.
March 22
The first of our tankers for the Royal Australian Air Force begins ground vibration testing following the outfitting of its fly-by-wire Aerial Refueling Boom System and two under-wing hose-and-drogue pods.
February 21
The first of our tankers for the Royal Australian Air Force is well advanced in its conversion and outfitting process, with the aircraft’s landing gear now reinstalled on the airframe. This is one of the final steps in bringing the aircraft to its full configuration as a multi-role tanker/transport, and enables the aircraft to be readied for the final ground and flight test campaigns.
February 21
The A330 MRTT wins its third international competition with the United Arab Emirates’ down-select of this aircraft to meet aerial refueling requirements of the country’s air force and air defense.
