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FORBIN

FORBIN

Lieutenant General
Registered Member
The first A330-200 for the Republic of Korea Air Force MRTT program is on the air!

The first A330-200 “green aircraft” over a total order of four
The first A330-200 "green aircraft" over a total order of four, ultimately for the usage of the Republic of Korean Air Force in the shape of A330 MRTT, was delivered by Airbus Commercial Aircraft to Airbus Defense and Space on May 19th in Toulouse, in order to start its conversion to tanker in Getafe as soon as the ferry flight from France to Spain is performed on that same day.

The Republic of Korea is the second Asian enrolled A330 MRTT customer, demonstrating the worldwide attractiveness for this new generation strategic tanker/transport aircraft, in this specific case over key contenders such as Boeing´s KC46 and IAI´s 767 MMTT which also offered their planes to the Government of Korea.

The "green" aircraft delivered today is the latest A330-200 version (one of the main pillars of the brand new "MRTT Enhanced" configuration); it will be fitted for its entry into service with additional capabilities such as the CATIIIB Autoland, as well as other military additional features, said Nadège Berthelemy (Airbus project manager for the on-going MRTT development) and Alvaro Irisarri (Airbus DS A330 MRTT Korea Program Manager).

Although the MRTT Enhanced version is already a major development step in term of tanker capabilities, Commercial Aircraft and Defense and Space are continuously collaborating and looking for the future A330 MRTT upgrades, such as the Automatic Air to Air Refueling and the augmentation of Tanker roles (named the Smart Tanker), which will be key enablers for the future.

About A330 MRTT

The Airbus Defence and Space A330 MRTT is the only new generation strategic tanker/transport aircraft combat-proven 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 around 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 51 A330 MRTTs have been ordered by nine nations (Australia, France, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Korea, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom), several of them having already placed repeat orders.

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J

Janiz

Senior Member
11uyCFS.jpg

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Doing trials and stuff like that.

That forward superstructure looks as big as on Atago class or at least Burke class. On a 3k hull. Trying to sail it into Northern Atlantic or North Sea in the winter would bring a lot of 'fun' to everone aboard ;)
 
Jeff Head

Jeff Head

General
Registered Member
Janiz said:
11uyCFS.jpg

​
Doing trials and stuff like that.

That forward superstructure looks as big as on Atago class or at least Burke class. On a 3k hull. Trying to sail it into Northern Atlantic or North Sea in the winter would bring a lot of 'fun' to everone aboard ;)
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Looks are deceving. it only looks that way because if its size in relation to the rest of the ship.

...and actually this vessel and its class has excleent sea keeping capabilities. They are very good design.

The flat part of the bridge has three windows forward and three on each side.

Look again at a Burke (or Atago or Kongo).

They have 8-12 windows across the front.

Anyhow, the SKOR Navy, like the JMSDF is very squared away and very good at what they do.

...and they have enough vessels to make a difference.

12 DDGs
13 FFGs
16 SSKs

Not as large as the JMSDF...but more combatants than either the UK or France.
 
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