A330 MRTT

New generation and combat proven tanker

The most capable

The A330 MRTT is the perfect replacement for older strategic tankers with increased range, payload and fuel offload capabilities for unmatched mission flexibility and versatility.

The A330 MRTT is the tanker of choice chosen by 15 nations including Australia, Canada, France, NATO - Multinational MRTT Fleet (Germany, Netherlands, Luxemburg, Norway, Belgium, Czech Republic), South Korea, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Spain, United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.

Since its entry into service several customers have repeated orders among them Australia, France, NATO - Multinational MRTT Fleet, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates.

Discover A330 MRTT orders and deliveries
- Total Orders: 82
- Total Deliveries: 60
- Total in Operation: 60
Orders and Deliveries

Mission versatility at its best

A330 MRTT

Refuelling mission

The A330 MRTT carries up to 111 tonnes of fuel - the largest capacity of any tanker. It can offload 50 tonnes of fuel to a wide range of receivers during a four-hour mission over 1,000nm from take-off.

A330 MRTT Singapore Air Force refuels a RSAF MRTT

Transport

The MRTT can carry up to 45 tonnes of payload, with room for 300 passengers, 40 stretchers, 20 medical staff, and 100 passengers, or 37 tonnes of cargo on the lower deck—27 LD3 containers or 8 military pallets.

MEDEVAC PAS2019 A330 MRTT Static Display 01 Day 3 007

Deployment mission

The A330 MRTT can deploy four combat aircraft, 50 personnel and 12 tonnes of cargo over 5,200km in a single flight, supporting long-range missions such as those from Europe to Afghanistan.

Key figures and specifications

Characteristics

In air-to-air refuelling (AAR) missions

97% success rate

Acquired by

Fifteen customers around the world

Performance

Flight hours

More than 275 000fh

Missions

Three missions in one

Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS)

Refuelling System

The A330 MRTT is the most efficient tanker with unrivalled fuel capacity, allowing it to offload more fuel over any distance than its competitors. This increases flexibility, range and time on station, making it a force multiplier for fast jet operations. Its refuelling capabilities have been proven on a wide range of fighter jets and larger aircraft.

The A330 MRTT refuels receptacle-equipped aircraft like the F-16, F-35A or another A330 MRTT using the advanced Airbus Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS).

With a high fuel flow rate of up to 3,600 kg/min (1,200 US gal/min), the ARBS is the most powerful new-generation boom and has been praised by independent experts for its excellent handling characteristics.

A330 MRTT Air-Air refuelling Tornado and Eurofighter

Underwing pods

Refuelling System

The A330 MRTT's Cobham 905E underwing pods provide high fuel offload rates (1,300 kg/min - 420 US gal/min) for efficient hose and drogue refuelling, compatible with NATO and allied probe-equipped aircraft such as the Eurofighter, Tornado and F/A18.

Certified for global coalition interoperability, the pods feature a digitally controlled hose drum unit for improved reliability and maintainability.

Fuselage Refuelling Unit (FRU)

Refuelling System

The Cobham 805E Fuselage Refuelling Unit (FRU) enables large probe-equipped aircraft such as the A400M or C295 to be refuelled at 1,800 kg/min (600 US gal/min). The detachable FRU allows a different type of fuel to be dispensed from the wing pods, providing versatile refuelling options.

Controlled from an advanced cockpit console, the system enhances safety with synchronised crew response and includes a high-resolution 2D/3D Enhanced Vision System for day and night operations.

A330 MRTT Technical information
Technical description of the A330 MRTT
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Multi-role strategic transport with global reach

Widebody fuselage

Optimum seating configurations

The MRTT cabin offers flexible seating for up to 300 passengers, ensuring airline comfort. Configurations range from troop transport to VIP layouts, with design maximising capacity in every class.

A330 MRTT Airbus cabin at Paris Airshow 2019

Cargo stored conveniently

The A330 MRTT can carry up to 45 tonnes of cargo. It can accommodate LD1 to LD6 containers, 463-L NATO pallets and bulk cargo, with loading through a large cargo door.

Quickly converted for MedEvac missions

The MRTT excels in aeromedical evacuation, accommodating up to 130 NATO stretchers or 28 stretchers with critical care modules. It offers flexible configurations for both MedEvac and troop transport.

Getting SMART

World’s first tanker

The Airbus A330 MRTT has become the world's first tanker to to be certified for Automatic Air-to-Air Refuelling (A3R) in daylight, following a successful campaign with the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), a launch customer and the first operator to benefit from this ground-breaking capability.

The A330 MRTT is also pioneering the A3R at night, as demonstrated during a flight test campaign with Portuguese and Singapore F-16s, F-15SG fighters and another Singapore MRTT as receivers. This successful campaign, conducted in 2024, is an important step towards certification in 2025.

The A3R capability is part of the new SMART MRTT developed by Airbus. The system requires no additional equipment on the receiving aircraft and is designed to reduce the air-to-air refuelling operator's workload, improve safety and optimise the air-to-air refuelling transfer rate under operational conditions to achieve air superiority.