Aerano A530 MRTT
| A530 MRTT | |
|---|---|
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| |
| A Royal Gallambrian Air Force Minerva in 2017 | |
| Role | Aerial refuelling and transport |
| National origin |  Gallambria
|
| Manufacturer | Aerano Defence and Space |
| First flight | 20 July 2008 |
| Introduction | 1 May 2012 |
| Status | In service |
| Primary user |  Royal Gallambrian Air Force
|
| Produced | 2007-present |
| Number built | 30 as of 20 January 2019 |
| Unit cost |
£227.8 Million
|
| Developed from | Aerano A530 |
The Aerano A530 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) is an aerial refuelling tanker aircraft based on the civilian Aerano A530.
Design and development
The Aerano A530 MRTT is a military derivative of the A530-200 airliner. It is designed as a dual-role air-to-air refuelling and transport aircraft. For air-to-air refuelling missions the A530 MRTT can be equipped with a combination of any of the following systems:
- Refuelling other aircraft
- GADS Aerial Refuelling Boom System (GADS ARBS) for receptacle-equipped receiver aircraft
- Pelham 400E under-wing refuelling pods
- Pelham 500E fuselage refuelling unit
- Being refuelled
- Universal Aerial Refueling Receptacle Slipway Installation (UARRSI) for self in-flight refuelling
The A530 MRTT has a maximum fuel capacity of 111,000 kg (245,000 lb) without the use of additional fuel tangs, which leaves space for the carriage of 45,000 kg (99,000 lb) of additional cargo.
The A530 MRTT cabin can be modified to carry up to 380 passengers in a single class configuration, allowing a complete range of configurations from maximised troop transport to complex customisation suitable for VIP and guest missions. The A530 MRTT can also be configured to perform Medical Evacuation (Medevac) missions; up to 130 litters can be carried.
Standard commercial A530-200s are delivered from the Aerano final assembly line in Tamworth to the Aerano Military Conversion Centre in Aberdeen for fitting of refuelling systems and military avionics. The tanker was certified by Gallambrian authorities in July 2010.
Variants
- KC-40A
- Export variant fitted with two Pelham 400E under-wing refuelling pods
- KC-40B
- Export variant fitted with two Pelham 400E under-wing refuelling pods and a Pelham 500E fuselage refuelling unit
- KC-40C
- Export variant fitted with a GADS aerial refuelling boom system, and two Pelham 400E under-wing refuelling pods
- Minerva KC.1
- Variant for the Royal Gallambrian Air Force fitted with a GADS aerial refuelling boom system and two Pelham 400E under-wing refuelling pods
- Minerva KC.2
- Variant for the Royal Gallambrian Air Force fitted with a GADS aerial refuelling boom system, two Pelham 400E under-wing refuelling pods and the Universal Aerial Refueling Receptacle Slipway Installation.
Operators
A total of 40 aircraft on order with 30 delivered as of 30 March 2019.
Royal Gallambrian Air Force
30 in service, 10 on order
Specifications
General characteristics
- Crew: Three: Two pilots, one AAR operator
- Length: 192 ft 11 in (58.80 m)
- Wingspan: 197 ft 10 in (60.3 m)
- Height: 57 ft 1 in (17.4 m)
- Wing area: 3,900 sq ft (362 m2)
- Empty weight: 275,578 lb (125,000 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 513,677 lb (233,000 kg)
- Fuel capacity: 111,000 kg (245,000 lb) max, 65,000 kg (143,000 lb) at 1,000 nmi (1852 km) with 2 hours on station
Performance
- Maximum speed: 475 kn (547 mph; 880 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 464 kn (534 mph; 859 km/h)
- Combat range: 972 nmi; 1,118 mi (1,800 km)
- Service ceiling: 42,700 ft (13,000 m)