Airbus’ A330 MRTT has become the world’s first tanker to be certified for automatic air-to-air refueling (A3R) boom operations in daylight following a successful campaign in collaboration with the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF).
Certified by the Spanish National Institute for Aerospace Technology (INTA), this capability is part of the new SMART MRTT developed by Airbus. The A3R system requires no additional equipment on the receiver aircraft and is intended to reduce air refuelling operator (ARO) workload, improve safety and optimise the rate of air-to-air refuelling (AAR) transfer in operational conditions to enable air superiority.
“The certification of the A3R capability is the result of a successful journey that started in 2018 with the world’s first automated contact with a boom system in a joint operation with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Since then, we’ve achieved more aeronautical “world firsts” thanks to the support of our customers, especially with the key participation of our partner the RSAF, a launch customer and the first operator to benefit from this game-changing capability. The A330 MRTT continues to increase its technological advantage with superior air refueling capabilities,” said Jean-Brice Dumont, Head of Military Air Systems at Airbus Defence and Space.
Through the collaboration between Airbus and the RSAF for the development of the SMART MRTT, an RSAF A330 MRTT took part in the development, flight test campaign and certification of the A3R. In addition, enhanced maintenance capabilities have been developed, allowing faster resolution of ground tasks, while providing the means for maximising the efficient use of spare parts.
The road for the evolution of the A330 MRTT does not stop here. Airbus, through its subsidiary Airbus UpNext, has launched Auto’Mate, a demonstrator that will develop, adapt, mature, integrate and evaluate technologies enabling Autonomous Assets Air-to-Air Refuelling (A4R) and Autonomous Formation Flight (AF2) operations. Auto’Mate will focus on automating the receiver aircraft’s tasks, which requires a set of new technologies that are the pillars of the UpNext Auto’Mate demonstrator.
These technological bricks will be tested in flight during 2023 with a final end-to-end demonstration mid-2024, using in both cases an A310 as the Tanker Refueling Flight Test Bed and DT-25 Target Drones as receiver aircraft. The set of technologies developed in the Airbus Auto’Mate demonstrator will enable a disruptive step forward in the autonomy level of current Air-to-Air Refueling (AAR) operations, to reduce crew fatigue and training costs, improve safety and efficiency, and pioneer Unmanned Air-to-Air Refueling operations (including Unmanned-to-Unmanned AAR operations), a highly demanded capability for future defence scenarios. Auto’Mate is the first Up Next demonstrator to be launched, developed and concluded in Spain.
Boeing aircraft will be conspicuous by their near-total absence from the show, but the American OEM is expected to walk…
Eve Air Mobility will provide an update on key program milestones, including its first full-scale prototype, at the Farnborough Air…
Boeing, which is not bringing any of its commercial jets to this year's Farnborough Airshow, will instead focus on highlighting…
Gulfstream Aerospace has appointed Smitha Hariharan as vice president and chief sustainability officer, effective immediately. In the newly created role,…
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems has been upgraded to an 'A' credit rating by S&P Global Ratings, with a stable outlook.…
Qantas will likely use a North Pole route to achieve its Project Sunrise Sydney to London nonstop with the A350-1000…
Fincantieri marked an important milestone with the launch of the seventh PPA (Multipurpose Combat Ship), named "Domenico Millelire," at the…
Sierra Space Corporation, in collaboration with Japan Airlines Co., Ltd., Kanematsu Corporation, and Oita Prefecture, has announced the inclusion of…
The Malaysian Army has recently announced a tender inviting local companies to supply and deliver 800 M72 Light Anti-tank Weapon…
China has proposed supplying the Type 052D destroyer to the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) as part of a broader effort…
Following the recent signing of the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) between the Philippines and Japan, reports suggest that the Philippines…
The U.S. military has awarded SRC, Inc. a contract worth USD 25 million to develop the Long-Range Radar, a large…
Australia’s largest international air combat training exercise, Exercise Pitch Black, is set to take place from 12 July to 2…
The Spanish space launcher company, PLD Space, has secured a EUR31.2 million syndicated loan with Banco Santander, EBN Banco, and…
Malaysia Airlines’ inaugural A330neo has been unveiled in Toulouse, proudly displaying the airline’s distinctive Malaysia flag livery. This milestone marks…
IFS, a Sweden-based provider of cloud and industrial AI software, has announced the acquisition of EmpowerMX - an AI-powered aviation…
The Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) launched two new Dorang-class patrol vessels in Serang, Banten province, on Friday (Jul. 12). Constructed…
Vietjet, in partnership with the Ministry of Public Works and Transport of Laos, has announced a new agreement aimed at…
China Southern Airlines (CSN) and Malaysia Airlines (MAS) have expanded their codeshare flights to encompass three new routes: Guangzhou-Penang, Kuala…
Saudi Arabia has ordered four additional Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft for the Royal Saudi Arabia Air…
Embraer's brand-new E-Freighter, the E190F, will make its first public appearance at the Farnborough International Airshow that will take place…
WestJet Cargo has announced the launch of its new Campus'Air service, aimed at providing affordable shipping solutions for students and…
SITA has reported a record revenue of nearly US$ 1.5 billion for 2023, marking a 7% increase from the previous…
ASELSAN achieved a significant milestone in its space research and satellite payload development with the successful launch of the TURKSAT-6A…
Japan and the Philippines have formalised a defence pact through the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), aimed at facilitating joint exercises…
Indonesia is set to deploy missiles around strategic choke points along its sea lanes, as announced by the Acting Secretary…
From July 22-26, ZeroAvia will be back at historic Farnborough embracing 120 years of aviation innovation, and showcasing the company's…
Commtact Ltd., a provider of advanced wireless communication solutions for defence, security forces, and robotic platforms, has been awarded a…
Garuda Indonesia (GIA) and Singapore Airlines (SIA) received the green light from the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS)…
Philippine Airlines (PAL) reopened its Clark - Basco route on Tuesday (Jul. 2). The event was attended by airline officials…
Headquartered in Singapore with reporters spread across all major regions, GBP Aerospace & Defence is a leading media house that publishes three publications that serve the aerospace and defence sector - Asian Defence Technology, Asian Airlines & Aerospace and Daily News. Known industry-wide for quality journalism, GBP Aerospace & Defence is present at more international tradeshows and exhibitions than any other competing publication in the region.
For over three decades, our award-winning team of reporters has been producing top-notch content to help readers stay abreast of the latest developements in the field of commercial aviation, MRO, defence, and Space.
Copyright 2024. GBP. All Rights Reserved.
Home Defence & Security Space Commercial Aviation Maintence Repair & Overhaul Daily News Events About Us
2024 GBP all rights reserved.