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The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) has officially taken delivery of its first Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft, making the nation the third regional operator of the aircraft behind Australia and Singapore.
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The new-generation A330 MRTT extends the endurance and range of the ROKAF’s fighter aircraft, and provides the service with strategic transport capability for passengers and freight.
In South Korean service, the A330 MRTT will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines, be equipped with the Airbus Refuelling Boom System, and can be configured in a variety of layouts to carry more than 270 passengers and freight or for medevac operations.
Fernando Alonso, executive vice president of Airbus, said, “The A330 MRTT has clearly established itself as the world’s premier tanker and strategic transport aircraft, and has been widely praised by the current operators. It will be a critical asset of the ROKAF and leading air forces worldwide for many decades.”
More than 12 nations have ordered over 60 A330 MRTT aircraft, including Australia, which has six KC-30A (as the aircraft is known in Australian service) in action and one additional aircraft on order.
The KC-30A/A330 MRTT is fitted with two forms of air-to-air refuelling systems, an advanced refuelling boom system mounted on the tail of the aircraft and a pair of all-electric refuelling pods under each wing.
These systems are controlled by an air refuelling operator in the cockpit, who can view refuelling on 2D and 3D screens. The KC-30A/A330 platform can carry a fuel load of more than 100 tonnes and transfer part of that load to compatible aircraft, including:
- F-18A/B Hornets
- F-18F Super Hornets
- E/A-18G Growlers
- E-7A Wedgetails
- C-17A Globemaster III
- other KC-30As
The KC-30A/A330 MRTT can operate 1,800 kilometres from its home base, with 50 tonnes of fuel available to offload for up to four hours. In its transport role, the KC-30A is capable of carrying 270 passengers. It comes with under-floor cargo compartments that can accommodate 34,000 kilograms of military and civilian cargo pallets and containers.
Australia’s KC-30As are operated by No. 33 Squadron from RAAF Amberley in south-east Queensland and have marked a number of major operational milestones in 2018.
Airbus offers a comprehensive range of passenger airliners from 100 to more than 600 seats. Airbus is also a European leader providing tanker, combat, transport and mission aircraft, as well as one of the world’s leading space companies. In helicopters, Airbus provides civil and military rotorcraft solutions worldwide.
In 2017, Airbus generated revenues of €59 billion restated for IFRS 15 and employed a workforce of around 129,000.
Stephen Kuper
Steve has an extensive career across government, defence industry and advocacy, having previously worked for cabinet ministers at both Federal and State levels.
