Airbus, Singapore conducts F-15 refuelling with A330
The A330 MRTT is offered with a choice of air-to-air refuelling (AAR) systems. (Photo: Airbus)
Over the course of a three-week test campaign, a Republic of Singapore Air Force A330 tanker made more than 500 automated wet and dry contacts with the air force’s full fleet of receiver aircraft, including F-15s and F-16s.
Airbus and the RSAF have completed the automatic air-to-air refuelling (A3R) flight test campaign with an A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) and F-15SG fighter jet. The refuelling trial took place ahead of the A330s certification in the first half of 2024.
Over the course of three weeks in August, an RSAF A330 MRTT made more than 500 automated wet and dry contacts with the air force’s full fleet of receiver aircraft, including the F-15SG aircraft, a customised variant of the F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet.
‘This new milestone will enable the RSAF to become the first air force in the world to have a boom automatic refuelling capability with all of its receivers, a capability that can be extended to refuelling receivers from other nations,’ said Jean-Brice Dumont, head of military air systems at Airbus Defence and Space.
Related Articles
Airbus takes step towards autonomous refuelling with A310 MRTT demonstration
India receives first C295 transport aircraft from Airbus
The flight tests were conducted in Singapore and were supervised by the Spanish certifying authority National Institute of Aerospace Technology (INTA).
Refuelling flight tests were also conducted with the RSAF’s A330 and F-16s as receivers for data collection to complete the development and enable night capabilities with the automated system, Airbus said.
The first Airbus A330 MRTT for RSAF arrived in the country in August 2018. The aircraft was officially unveiled to the public at the RSAF parade on 1 September.
The 111t basic fuel capacity of the A330-200 airliner – from which the A330 is derived – enables the A330 MRTT to perform air-to-air refuelling missions without the need for any additional tanks.
The A330 MRTT is offered with a choice of air-to-air refuelling (AAR) systems, including the Airbus Military Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS), a pair of underwing hose and drogue pods and/or a fuselage refuelling unit. The aircraft is also known as KC-30 or Voyager.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![NHI’s NH90: Europe’s multirole helicopter strives to maintain relevance (updated 2026)]()
NHI’s NH90: Europe’s multirole helicopter strives to maintain relevance (updated 2026)
Developed in response to NATO’s needs, NHIndustries’ NH90 remains a cornerstone of European and Middle Eastern fleets – with upgrades planned to extend and improve the capabilities of the versatile and capable platform.
-
![April Drone Digest: Why militaries are rethinking high-end drones]()
April Drone Digest: Why militaries are rethinking high-end drones
From France to Romania, there has been a clear shift away from expensive, vulnerable MALE UAVs in April towards lower-cost, expendable systems. Hard lessons from Ukraine and Iran have driven this shift.
-
![Bundeswehr launches loitering munition spending spree with $2.16 billion unassigned]()
Bundeswehr launches loitering munition spending spree with $2.16 billion unassigned
After months of delays, Rheinmetall has inked a €300 million deal with Germany for its FV-014 drone this week as part of a wider framework contract worth €2.4 billion for loitering munition procurement. Shephard looks at how the as-yet-unawarded funds could be spent.
-
![FY2027 budget request highlights shift in USAF’s future aerial refuelling priorities]()
FY2027 budget request highlights shift in USAF’s future aerial refuelling priorities
The USAF’s Next-Generation Aerial Refuelling Programme is coming under scrutiny in the wake of the Pentagon’s FY2027 budget request, signalling a change in how the force could prioritise the modernisation of its tanker fleet.
