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
-
![What lessons could Europe learn from air power use in Ukraine?]()
What lessons could Europe learn from air power use in Ukraine?
The use of air power by both sides in the ongoing conflict has been extensively focused on, influencing policy and procurement around the world. But are the lessons from the front line universally applicable, or should other nations be planning for very different scenarios?
-
![Baykar completes Piaggio Aerospace takeover with plans to boost drone production]()
Baykar completes Piaggio Aerospace takeover with plans to boost drone production
The takeover of the Italian firm by Baykar solidifies the company’s efforts to forge closer ties with Italian industry, bolsters its partnership with Leonardo to produce UAVs and secures its foothold in Europe.
-
![US budget boosts Boeing’s F-15EX with $3.1 billion investment to increase fleet to 129]()
US budget boosts Boeing’s F-15EX with $3.1 billion investment to increase fleet to 129
The F-15EX Eagle II had already been singled out for further funding in January 2025, when it was chosen to replace the A-10 aircraft for the US National Guard.
