Latest Media release on RAAF Tankers.

Minister for Defence Media Mail List
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Friday, 15 June, 2007
056/07

FIRST FLIGHT OF RAAF'S NEW GENERATION TANKER

I am pleased to announce the successful maiden flight of the Royal
Australian Air Force's (RAAF) new generation A330 Multi Role Tanker
Transport aircraft (MRTT).

The flight took place in Madrid, Spain and marks the end of the first
phase of modifications to install military systems into the commercial
A330 aircraft.

In December 2004, we signed a contract with Spanish company European
Aeronautic Defence and Space Construcciones Aeronauticas SA (EADS CASA)
to provide five new generation air-to-air refuelling aircraft.

The basic Airbus A330 aircraft will have a range of military
modifications installed including two underwing aerial refuelling pods, a
fuselage mounted refuelling boom, military communications, data link,
navigation, identification, mission planning and electronic warfare
self-protection equipment.

Our new A330 MRTT, to be known as the KC-30B in RAAF service, is one of
the key enabling capabilities designed to maintain Australia's air
combat capability through the transition to Joint Strike Fighter,
Wedgetail and beyond. We are taking on a managed risk as lead customer to
develop and test the new advanced refuelling boom system and integrated
military mission systems to ensure that we have the most capable tanker
aircraft in time to replace the ageing Boeing 707.

The first aircraft will be converted into the tanker in two phases by
EADS CASA and the remainder of the aircraft will be converted by Qantas
in Australia. In addition QANTAS will provide the through-life support
for the aircraft under an initial five year contract signed in
February this year.

The first flight of the aircraft following completion of structural
modifications is a significant milestone and provides confidence that EADS
CASA is progressing to schedule for entry into operational service of
the new tankers by the end of 2009.

--
Darryl Gibbs
Aircraft of Australia Aviation Photography. www.aircraftofaustralia.com
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