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 hours.
The A3R system reduces air refueling operator workload and optimizes transfers without requiring additional equipment on receiving aircraft.
Airbus is actively developing an even more advanced, fully autonomous (A4R) refueling capability for unmanned operations, with flight tests 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.