Airbus Military completes UAE A330 MRTT deliveries
The third of three A330 multi-role tanker transports (MRTT) has been delivered to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by Airbus Military. The delivery finalises the order signed between the company and the UAE in 2008.
The aircraft will serve with the UAE Air Force and Air Defense (AF&AD) at Al-Ain airbase. Following an extensive series of flight-tests in Abu Dhabi, the aircraft has successfully completed receiver qualification of the two fighter types that the UAE AF&AD will refuel in service – the F-16E/F Block 60 and Mirage 2000.
The first five A330 MRTT crews completed their training earlier this month and the final five will begin training in September for completion in early 2014.
Antonio Caramazana, vice president derivative programmes, Airbus Military, said: ‘It is deeply satisfying to see the completion of these deliveries to the UAE AF&AD. The A330 MRTT will contribute greatly to enabling the UAE to play a growing role in maintaining stability in the Gulf region.’
In UAE AF&AD service the A330 MRTT is equipped with two underwing refuelling pods, the fly-by-wire Airbus Military Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS), and a Universal Aerial Refuelling Receptacle Slipway Installation (UARRSI) enabling it to be refuelled from another tanker. It is powered by two Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines and has 256 passenger seats.
There are now 17 examples of the type in service with four customers – Australia, Saudi Arabia, UAE and the UK.
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