Breaking news
Australia announces order for two more KC-30A Multirole Tanker Transport aircraft.
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World Defense & Security News - Australia
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| Australia announces order for two more KC-30A Multirole Tanker Transport aircraft | |||
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The Australian Government will purchase two additional Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft, designated as KC-30A in the Australian armed forces, for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) . The two additional KC-30A aircraft will be delivered in 2018 and provide a substantial increase to the air-to-air refuelling capacity of the RAAF, the Australian DoD announced today, July 1st.
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 RAAF KC-30A Multirole Tanker Transport aircraft |
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The Australian Department of Defence has signed an update to the existing acquisition contract with Airbus Defence and Space for the two aircraft and associated conversion at a cost of approximately AUD $408mn (US $528 mn).
Based at RAAF Base Amberley and operated by Number 33 Squadron, the five KC-30As currently is service in the RAAF feature advanced mission systems, including military communications and navigation, an electronic warfare self-protection system for protection against threats from surface-to-air missiles. The KC-30A MRTT is fitted with two forms of air-to-air refuelling systems - an Aerial Refuelling Boom System mounted on the tail of the aircraft, which comprises a 'fly-by-wire' boom refuel system; and a pair of all-electric refuelling pods underneath each wing, which unreel a hose-and-drogue to refuel probe-equipped aircraft. These systems are controlled by an Air Refuelling Operator in the cockpit, who can view refuelling on 2D and 3D screens. Each KC-30A has a fuel capacity of more than 100 tonnes, and can offload fuel via the 17-metre-long Aerial Refuelling Boom System or the two hose-and-drogue refuelling pods. The aircraft is capable of refuelling F/A-18A/B Hornets, F/A-18F Super Hornets, E-7A Wedgetail, C-17A Globemasters and other KC-30A aircraft. In the future it will refuel EA-18G Growler, P-8A Poseidon and the F-35A (Joint Strike Fighter) providing a force-multiplier so aircraft can remain on station longer, extending their range and persistence. The KC-30A continues to play an important role in the Middle East region as part of Operation OKRA, refuelling both a growing number of Australian and Coalition fighter aircraft. Since September 2014, the KC-30A deployed to Operation OKRA has delivered more than more than 10,800 tonnes of fuel. The additional two aircraft will be based at RAAF Base Amberley, increasing our KC-30A fleet to seven. |
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