Australian International Airshow 2015

The KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport, which is a heavily modified Airbus A330 airliner, enables Air Force to conduct both air-to-air refuelling and provide strategic air lift.

The KC-30A is able to transfer more than 100 tonnes of fuel to Air Force’s F/A-18A/B Hornets, F/A-18F Super Hornets, and when fully operational refuel E-7A Wedgetail, C-17A Globemaster III and other KC-30As. It will be compatible with refuelling the P-8A Poseidon surveillance aircraft and F-35A Lightning II when these aircraft enter service.

The KC-30A MRTT is fitted with two forms of air-to-air refuelling systems - an Aerial Refuelling Boom System mounted on the tail of the aircraft, which comprises a 'fly-by-wire' boom refuel system; and a pair of all-electric refuelling pods underneath each wing, which unreel a hose-and-drogue to refuel probe-equipped aircraft. These systems are controlled by an Air Refuelling Operator in the cockpit, who can view refuelling on 2D and 3D screens.