By Jean-Michel Guhl
Edwards AFB, California, 29 September 2015 — The U.S. Air Force revealed today that an Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (A330 MRTT) of the Royal Australian Air Force has successfully refueled a F-35A Joint Strike Fighter of the US Air Force.
During a four-hour sortie from Edwards AFB, California, the tanker (known in RAAF service as the KC-30A) conducted 59 contacts including five “wet contacts” during which 19,600kg (43,200lb) of fuel were passed. All the refuelling was performed using the A330 MRTT’s Airbus Airborne Refuelling Boom System (ARBS). The combat-proven A330 MRTT is for the while the only new generation tanker/transport strategic cargo certified to refuel in the air the F-35A, underlining its full international interoperability with all Western front-line fighters.
It should be recalled that Australia has committed to the acquisition of 72 F-35A Lightning II aircraft, which will provide aircrew with “a fifth generation aircraft at the forefront of air combat technology” Lockheed Martin says. The first F-35A aircraft will arrive in Australia in late-2018, with Squadron Leader Andrew Jackson, from RAAF Base Williamtown, who qualified last May as the first Australian F-35A pilot.
In Australia, facilities for the F-35A will also be constructed not only at RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW, but also at RAAF Base Tindal near Katherine in the Northern Territory, RAAF Bases Townsville and Scherger in Queensland, RAAF Base Darwin in the Northern Territory, RAAF Bases Curtin, Learmonth and Pearce in Western Australia, RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia and Defence Establishment Myambat in NSW.
The introduction of the F-35A aircraft to RAAF Base Williamtown assures its position as the premier fighter training base for Australia’s air combat pilots for many decades to come. The aircraft will be supported by the KC-30A fleet of No.33 Squadron based at RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland, where the five Australian KC-30As are based.
The KC-30A MRTT is fitted with two forms of air-to-air refueling systems – an Aerial Refueling Boom System mounted on the tail of the aircraft, which comprises a ‘fly-by-wire’ boom refuel system; and a pair of all-electric refueling pods underneath each wing, which unreel a hose-and-drogue to refuel probe-equipped aircraft like the RAAF F-18 Hornets and Super Hornets. These systems are controlled by an Air Refuelling Operator in the cockpit, who can view refuelling on 2D and 3D screens.
The KC-30A MRTT has a fuel capacity of more than 100 tonnes, and can remain 1800km 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, comes with under-floor cargo compartments and will be able to accommodate 34,000 kgs of military and civilian cargo pallets and containers on demand.
