Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft

Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft ( FSTA ) was the project name for the new tanker aircraft Voyager of the British Royal Air Force ( RAF). As a replacement for the existing Vickers VC10 and Lockheed TriStar tanker aircraft 14 aircraft of the type Airbus A330- 200 MRTT be (Multi Role Tanker Transport ) procured.

History

On the initiative of the British Government, two consortia, each vorlegten their bid for participation in the tender at a future strategic tanker fleet for the Royal Air Force program founded. It was a comprehensive air refueling and air transport service.

Under the name " Air Tanker " was a joint venture between Thales (formerly Thomson Racal Defence ), the British company Rolls- Royce, Cobham Halliburton, Brown & Root and EADS at the start. " Tanker Transport Service Consortium ( TTSC ) " called the Consortium of British Airways, Boeing, BAE Systems, Marshall Aerospace, Serco and Spectrum Capital. The offer of " Air Tanker " was based on the Airbus A330-200, that of the TTSC on decommissioned Boeing 767 -er- series held by the British Airways. Already in the first tests, the Airbus tanker aircraft proved the competitive model of Boeing as superior. The Airbus requires only tanks in the wings, causing the body to transport passengers or device can be used for fuel. In the Boeing machine this is only limited because there more fuel tanks are housed in the fuselage.

In January 2004, the British Ministry of Defence decided to use the " Air Tanker " concept. Main reason for the decision for the A330-200 is the high capacity of the aircraft. Even without the additional tanks based on the Airbus A330 -200 aircraft can hold 111 tons of fuel. 65 tons of it, during a two-hour flight - which is about a distance of 2,000 kilometers - in the air refueling role be issued. Because no auxiliary fuel tanks are required, the entire cargo bay is available, which also LD3 or LD6 containers or military pallets can be accommodated.

The consortium was therefore industrial partner for the 13 - billion -pound program of the British Ministry of Defence for the future strategic air refueling. This is designed for a term of 27 years and the largest privately funded initiative defense. The production of the first FSTA began in early 2009, the first flight took place on June 4 of that year. The first completed model has been adopted in December 2011; After extensive tests, the first training flights began in April 2012. The end of 2012 and the end of January 2014 three aircraft were delivered half of the aircraft.

While most specimens have the usual military certification, some fly but with civilian registration. In particular, this can be if it is available from other users with " Air Tanker ", which has a pilot's license, rented.

Versions

→ Main article: A330-200

Specifications

  • Crew: 3
  • Length: 59.69 m
  • Wingspan: 60.3 m
  • Height: 17.89 m
  • Wing area: 361.6 m²
  • Empty weight: 120.500 kg
  • Maximum takeoff weight: 230,000 kg
  • Propulsion: 2 × Rolls Royce Trent 700
  • Maximum speed: 880 km / h
  • Use speed: 860 km / h
  • Range: 12.500 km
  • Service ceiling: 12,500 m
Aerial refueling Rolls-Royce Trent Curb weight
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