Certification of A330 MRTT Refuelling System

In February, Airbus Defence & Space received full certification for the automatic in-flight refuelling system of the A330 MRTT from Spain's INTA, as part of a 2020 collaboration with Singapore's Ministry of Defence. The certification process involved both day and night missions, a broad range of flight conditions, and testing with multiple types of aircraft to confirm operational readiness.

Flight Testing with Multiple Aircraft

The flight tests for the A330 MRTT's refuelling system were conducted in Spain and Singapore, with the Republic of Singapore Air Force providing the MRTT and supporting aircraft such as the F-16 and F-15. These tests validated the system's ability to refuel various aircraft under different conditions.

Future Unmanned Refuelling Project

As part of its SMART MRTT program, Airbus is working on developing autonomous refuelling technologies, including A4R, AF2, and Auto'Mate. These advancements aim to enable in-flight refuelling of drones and could lead to the creation of a refuelling drone. The project aligns with the European Future Unmanned Air-to-Air Refuelling Capability initiative, supported by the European Defence Agency and led by Germany and Spain.

First Phase of the Project Completed

The first phase of the Future Unmanned Air-to-Air Refuelling Capability project, managed by Airbus's German and Spanish subsidiaries, recently concluded. It involved an A330 MRTT, an F/A-18 Hornet from Spain's air force, and a PANAVIA Tornado from Germany's Luftwaffe. This phase demonstrated automation feasibility, developed camera tracking systems, and tested boom stabilization methods.

Second Phase Focuses on Drones

The second phase of the project, funded with 8 million euros and led by Spain with German support, now includes Belgium. It will focus on in-flight refuelling of drones, exploring relative navigation technologies, image sensors, and connectivity. Challenges include transferring fuel to multiple drones simultaneously from a single refuelling aircraft. The work will involve several organizations, including Airbus, the German Aerospace Center, and the Von Karman Institute.