While operated for some time as a pure transport aircraft the Airbus A310 is now being offered as the Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) through the addition of an aerial refueling capability.
The aircraft are manufactured and modified by EADS/Airbus. The conversion involves
Installation of two AAR pods under each wing
Four additional fuel tanks (extra 28,000kg) _ giving total capacity of almost 78,000kg
Fuel Operator Station (FOS) to control fuel offload, cameras etc, military radios and exterior lighting.
Reinforced wings and aircraft floor
Minor cockpit modifications.
The German Air Force (Luftwaffe) has become the first customer for the MRTT, converting four of their seven A310s. The Canadian Forces have ordered two, converting two of their five A310s, which are known as the CC_150 Polaris in Canadian service.
While the current MRTTs rely on probe/drogue refueling EADS has invested $90m in research and development of a boom refueling system _ as used by the USAF. They are now able to offer tankers from the small A310 with refueling pods to the large A330 MRTT equipped with refueling booms.
EADS has taken advantage of Boeing's difficulties over the USAF KC-767 deal, restating their bid for the USAF contract (although with little or no hope of success). EADS has won the recent UK (through Airtanker consortium) and Australian contracts to provide AAR/AT for both air forces with the A330.
The A310 is a shortened derivative of the Airbus A300.
The A300 and A310 established Airbus as a major competitor to Boeing and allowed it to go ahead with the more ambitious A330/A340 family.
A310 MRTT:The A310 has long been operated by many of the world's airforces as a pure transport, however some are now being converted to the "Multi Role Tanker Transport" configuration by EADS, providing an aerial refueling capability.
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