Airbus : Defence and Space orders A330 MRTT Full Flight Simulator

Market success of new generation tanker drives training requirement

Airbus Defence and Space has placed an order for the development and provision of a Full Flight Simulator (FFS) to support the training of crews on the A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport.

The contract, signed with Indra of Spain, covers the installation at the Airbus Defence and Space International Training Centre in Seville of a Level D FFS, which is certified to qualify pilots on the A330 MRTT with zero flight time in the real aircraft.

In addition to providing pilot flight-training, the new FFS, which will enter service in the second quarter of 2018, will permit the training of pilots in hose-and-drogue refuelling operations, and to act as a receiver from other tankers.

The company decided to invest in the new capability in order to ensure that a robust training capability is available to meet the needs of the rapidly growing global fleet of A330 MRTTs. Already 27 aircraft have been delivered to four nations out of 49 on firm order, and the type has been selected by a number of other nations.

Head of Military Aircraft Services, Stephan Miegel said: 'This investment will improve the quality of the training that we offer, reduce its cost, and enable us to offer a more comprehensive support product. It offers the opportunity of greatly reducing the amount of aircraft flight hours required to train air-to-air refuelling (AA) crews. We are also examining the most cost-effective way to link the FFS to a Part-Task Trainer that would allow training of complete crews on AAR using the refuelling boom system in addition to hose-and-drogue.'

Acquisition of the FFS will mean that for the first time Airbus Defence and Space will have simulators for its entire range of transport aircraft - CN235, C295, A330 MRTT and A400M.

About A330 MRTT

The Airbus Defence and Space A330 MRTT is the only new generation strategic tanker/transport aircraft flying and available today. The large 111 tonnes/ 245,000 lb basic fuel capacity of the successful A330-200 airliner, from which it is derived, enables the A330 MRTT to excel in air-to-air refuelling missions without the need for any additional fuel tank.

The A330 MRTT is offered with a choice of proven air-to-air refuelling systems including an advanced Airbus Defence and Space Aerial Refuelling Boom System, and/or a pair of under-wing hose and drogue pods, and/or a Fuselage Refuelling Unit.

Thanks to its true wide-body fuselage, the A330 MRTT can also be used as a pure transport aircraft able to carry up to 300 troops, or a payload of up to 45 tonnes/99,000 lb. It can also easily be converted to accommodate up to 130 stretchers for Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC). To-date, a total of 49 A330 MRTTs have been ordered by six customers (Australia, France, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom), with two (Australia and Saudi Arabia) having already placed repeat orders. The A330 MRTT has also been selected by India, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland and Qatar.

About Airbus Defence and Space

Airbus Defence and Space is a division of Airbus Group formed by combining the business activities of Cassidian, Astrium and Airbus Military. The new division is Europe's number one defence and space enterprise, the second largest space business worldwide and among the top ten global defence enterprises. It employs some 38,000 employees generating revenues of approximately €13 billion per year.