A330 MRTT Voyager

Airbus · Multinational (Europe) · first flew 2007 · transport aircraft

Variant of the Airbus A330-300 — family overview.

The A330 MRTT is a widebody multi-role tanker transport based on the Airbus A330-200, combining large-scale air-to-air refuelling with passenger and cargo carriage; in RAF service it is the Voyager.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Low-mounted, swept
E — Engines	2 × turbofan, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage	Widebody A330 airframe with low swept wing
T — Tail	Conventional

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

Widebody A330 airframe with low swept wing
Two large underwing turbofans
Underwing hose-and-drogue pods and a tail refuelling unit

Look for the large twin-engine widebody airframe on a low swept wing with a conventional tail. Underwing refuelling pods, and often a centreline hose, distinguish it from a standard A330 airliner.

Specifications

The A330 MRTT Voyager has a length of 58.8 m (193 ft).
It has a wingspan of 60.3 m (198 ft).
Its maximum speed is 880 km/h (547 mph).
Typical crew: 3 (two pilots, mission systems operator).

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Airbus developed the MRTT from the A330-200 airliner, with the tanker conversion first flying in 2007. The RAF acquired its fleet under the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft PFI, achieving full operational capability around 2013.

Variants

RAF aircraft are designated Voyager KC.Mk 2, with two underwing pods, and KC.Mk 3, which adds a fuselage refuelling unit. The same airframe serves many export customers, with some fitted with an Airbus rigid boom.

Where you'll see it

The Voyager is operated by the RAF from RAF Brize Norton, providing air-to-air refuelling and strategic airlift, including ministerial and trooping flights. It is the largest aircraft in the RAF and a regular performer at UK events.

Related aircraft

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