KC-30A
Airbus / Boeing · Australia · first flew 2004 · transport aircraft
The KC-30A is the Royal Australian Air Force designation for the Airbus A330 MRTT (Multi-Role Tanker Transport), an air-to-air refuelling and strategic transport aircraft derived from the A330-200 airliner.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turbofan, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Wide-body twin-aisle airliner fuselage adapted for both passengers and fuel offload |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- RAAF designation for the Airbus A330 MRTT multi-role tanker transport
- Distinctive underbelly refuelling pod and a fly-by-wire boom extending from the tail
- Wide-body twin-aisle airliner fuselage adapted for both passengers and fuel offload
Standard A330 wide-body twin-engine airliner silhouette with a refuelling boom under the tail and hose-drum units under the wings. Grey military scheme with RAAF roundels. The boom under the tail is the key distinguishing feature.
Specifications
- The KC-30A has a length of 58.82 m (193 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 60.3 m (198 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 880 km/h (547 mph).
- Typical crew: 2 flight crew + boom operator.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Australia ordered five KC-30As in 2004 to replace its ageing Boeing 707 tankers. The A330 MRTT was selected over the Boeing KC-767 for its larger capacity and fly-by-wire boom system. RAAF KC-30As have supported operations in the Middle East and Western Pacific, providing both fuel offload and cargo/troop transport capacity. The same platform also serves as the USAF KC-46 predecessor in concept.
Variants
KC-30A (Australia); A330 MRTT is the generic designation; MRTT also serves as A330-200 MRTT for the UK (Voyager KC2/KC3), France, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, and others.
Where you'll see it
Royal Australian Air Force from 2011 at RAAF Base Amberley. Six aircraft in service. Used for tanking RAAF Super Hornets and international coalition partners.
Related aircraft
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