Airbus A330 MRTT Certificated for Automatic Aerial Refueling

Wednesday, July 20, 2022 at 04:29 PM ET

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The Airbus A330 MRTT has become the world’s first certificated tanker capable of conducting automatic air-to-air refueling in daylight operations after a successful campaign in collaboration with the Republic of Singapore Air Force. [Courtesy: Airbus]

Key Takeaways:

Airbus' A330 MRTT has become the world's first tanker certified for automatic air-to-air refueling (A3R) boom operations during daylight, a designation achieved after collaboration with the Republic of Singapore Air Force.
The A3R system is designed to reduce the workload of air refueling operators and optimize fuel transfers without requiring additional equipment on receiving aircraft.
Airbus is further developing fully autonomous (A4R) air-to-air refueling technology for the A330 MRTT, aiming for unmanned operations to reduce crew fatigue, improve safety and efficiency, with flight testing planned for 2023.

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Airbus’ A330 MRTT (Multi Role Tanker Transport) has been certificated to conduct automatic air-to-air refueling (A3R) boom operations during daylight, making it the first tanker in the world with the designation, according to the aircraft manufacturer.

The Spanish National Institute for Aerospace Technology (INTA) certificated the A3R system following a collaboration with the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), Airbus announced Tuesday at the U.K.’s Farnborough International Airshow.