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| Airbus A310 MRTT |
Militarymedia.net | The MRTT A310 is a converted military version of the A310 commercial aircraft, made by the European multinational aerospace company Airbus. The acronym, MRTT, stands for Multi Role Tanker Transport, which describes this aircraft perfectly. It can be used as a cargo, or troop transport aircraft, or aerial refueling tanker. The MRTT A310 made its first flight in 2003. This aircraft has been adopted by the German Air Force (Luftwaffe). Four of the seven A310 military cargo planes in service were converted to the MRTT configuration. The first aircraft were delivered in 2004. The MRTT A310 was first put into operational service in 2009 during the deployment of three Eurofighter Typhoons from Germany to India. Canada also operates a similar multi-role aircraft, called the CC-150 Polaris. It has been reported that Pakistan has also ordered MRTT capability for its A310 aircraft.
During the conversion of the standard A310 aircraft, the military version is equipped with two under-wing aerial refueling pods. It is also equipped with an auxiliary fuel tank with a combined fuel capacity of 28 tonnes, and other related equipment. Reinforced fuselage wings and floors. The aircraft is capable of refueling day and night. As an air tanker, it has a similar fuel capacity to the US KC-135R.
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| Airbus A310 MRTT |
In the cargo and troop transport roles, the Airbus A310 MRTT can carry 214 passengers. It can also carry various combinations of passengers and cargo. Cargo can be stored on the main deck and in the lower deck cargo hold. This plane can also be used as VIP transportation. The only significant drawback of the MRTT A310 is that it cannot land on rough runways due to its commercial nature.
Production of the Airbus A310 commercial aircraft has now been completed. However the operational A310 aircraft can be refurbished, militarized and converted to the MRTT configuration.
It should be noted that the Royal Canadian Air Force also operates a similar multi-role aircraft, called the CC-150 Polaris. It converted two of their five operational A310 aircraft to the MRTT configuration. It was converted in the same way as the German aircraft. The first aircraft were delivered to the Royal Canadian Air Force in 2004.
Then Airbus developed the larger A330 MRTT multi-role military aircraft, based on the A330 civilian aircraft. This aircraft proved to be more successful and received more orders.
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| Airbus A310 MRTT |
