Singapore confirms A330 MRTT order; additional two S-70 Seahawks

Airbus A330 with a Portugese Air Force F-16. © Airbus

Singapore's Ministry of Defence, via it's Cyberpioneer Facebook/Twitter account, has confirmed that Singapore will acquire the Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport and the two more S-70 Seahawks. No timeframe for delivery has been revealed, nor has the number of MRTTs being acquired been stated, but it has been reported earlier that it will be six MRTTs, while Flightglobal has reported on the additional Seahawks (reportedly fitted for Littoral missions) as far back as February last year.

Report: Singapore has signed for 6 Airbus A330 MRTT tanker-transports

One of five KC-30A (Airbus A330 MRTT) tankers operated by the RAAF (© Commonwealth of Australia)

French aviation magazine Air and Cosmos has reported that Singapore has reportedly signed for six Airbus A330 MRTT (Multi-Role Tanker Transports) in 2013. Neither Airbus Defence and Space nor Singapore have commented on the reports. If true, Singapore will become the fifth nation to operate the A330 MRTT, after the UK, Australia, UAE and Saudi Arabia. France has also been reported to be on the verge of buying the type, along with India.

There are rumours that the MoU signed between Airbus and Singapore to be conditional upon Airbus sorting out the issues with the refueling boom and mission planning system, among others. Problems with the boom have dogged the MRTT's development, and is not expected to be solved until late this year at the earliest. This has prevented the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) from declaring Full Operational Capability with the type, which operates five aircraft, known as the KC-30A in RAAF service.

It has been reported since 2011 that Singapore has been looking for tankers to replace its elderly fleet of four Boeing KC-135R Stratotankers and ten C-130B/H Hercules (all ten can be readily configured as KC-130 tankers). Singapore is known to have issued a Request For Information (RFI) for six aerial refueling tankers back in 2012, and Boeing had previously acknowledged that its KC-46A tanker was one of the types Singapore had issued the RFI to. However with the KC-46 still in development and the USAF's mammoth 180-aircraft order, it may have difficult for Boeing to meet Singapore's delivery timeline for a new tanker.

Our previous coverage of Singapore's search for a new tanker aircraft can be accessed from the links below.

2 August 2011: Singapore looking to replace KC-135s
21 February 2012: Singapore Air Force issues tanker RFI
20 Sept 2012: Singapore has requested information on Boeing's KC-46

PHOTOS/VIDEO: RAAF KC-30 MRTT refuels F/A-18 Hornets

Viking 61 and 62. Click on thumbnail for hi-res imagery.

On the 27th of February 2013, members of the media at the Australian International Airshow at Avalon, Victoria were given a unique opportunity to go on board a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Airbus KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) on a flight to refuel two F/A-18A Hornets of 77 Squadron, arriving from their base in Williamtown, New South Wales for the airshow. The mid-air refueling took place in the skies over Victoria's Gippsland region and the Bass Straits.

Viking 62 was F/A-18A A21-49 in the colourful 77 Sqn 70th Anniversary scheme. Click on thumbnail for hi-res imagery.

This publicity flight was a unique in the sense that it was the first time media have been invited on board a KC-30 conducting a refueling mission. About 30 media personnel boarded the KC-30, serial number A39-003 and operating under the callsign DRAGON 21, from the civil aviation terminal at Avalon Airport and departed under leaden skies at approximately 1400. After a short flight, we rendezvoused with VIKING 61 and 62, a two-ship Hornet flight over the East Sale Restricted Airspace where the Hornets joined up on the KC-30's left wing before "plugging into" the refueling baskets trailing from the HDUs (Hose Drum Unit) mounted on each of the tanker's wingtips.

Viking 61 was F/A-18A A21-48 in the RAAF's 90th Anniversary scheme. Click on thumbnail for hi-res imagery.

At this point, I would like to add that I would have been perfectly happy if the Hornets were regular "line birds" in standard squadron livery, however the fact that both Hornets were painted in various special commemorative schemes was an added (and much appreciated) bonus. To top it off, both "receivers" were carrying a mix of AIM-132 Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missiles (ASRAAM) and 500-lb Joint Direct Attack Munitions along with wing tanks and Elta EL/L-8222 ECM pods. The Hornets and tanker and receivers circled among the clouds while the media pack had a field day shooting photos and video. After a few minutes, refueling was complete and both Hornets slid over to the tanker's starboard wing before breaking off towards Avalon, landing just before the KC-30, which touched down at 1505 local.

The RAAF has five MRTTs on strength with 33 Sqn at RAAF Amberley, with one aircraft currently with manufacturer EADS conducting boom certification which is expected to be completed by the end of 2013.

The Base Leg would like to express our deepest appreciation to the RAAF, our crew and Eamon Hamilton, Public Affairs for the RAAF's Air Lift Group for making this amazing event happen. A video of the highlights of the flight can be assessed below (available in HD/720p)

Airbus offers sixth (unsolicited) MRTT to Australia

At the recent Singapore Airshow, Airbus Military Chief Domingo Ureña Raso revealed his company has submitted a proposal for a sixth KC-30 Multi Role Tanker Transport to the Australian government. Australia has four KC-30As and will take delivery of its fifth, and last, later this year.

Singapore Air Force issues tanker RFI to replace KC-135/KC-130s

RSAF KC-130H tanker

Aviationweek, quoting "industry sources", is reporting that Singapore has issued a Request For Information (RFI) for six aerial refueling tankers to replace it's fleet of KC-135Rs and KC-130B/Hs tankers in the Republic of Singapore Air Force's inventory, with a Request For Proposals expected to be issued as soon as the middle of this year.

It is unclear which platform/manufacturers the RSAF has issued the RFI to, but it is almost certain to include EADS/Airbus for the A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport, which made a last minute two-day appearance during the trade day component of the recently concluded Singapore airshow. The aircraft involved was Royal Air Force A330 Voyager MRTT016/ZZ330 which took a scenic deviation from it's flight test schedule from Getafe, Spain for the show.

Other possible contenders for the RSAF tanker contract would be Israel Aircraft Industries' Bedek Division, which has been converting Boeing 767s sourced from the commercial market into tankers for the Colombian Air Force. Boeing's 767-based KC-46A could be another contender, although industry sources feel that with the USAF's mammoth 180-aircraft order keeping the KC-46 line busy till 2018, the RSAF's requirement may come too soon for it to be a serious contender. Both companies were also promoting their tankers at the airshow, although only Airbus had a flying example present at the static display.


Graphic showing the MRTT's multi-role capability. Click on thumbnail for high resolution image (RAAF)

Should the Airbus MRTT be selected, it's configuration will be very similar to that delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), with a provision for a refueling boom in the centre refueling station, rather than a refueling basket as on the RAF Voyager due to the RSAF's combat fleet soon to consist only of aircraft utilising the boom and receptacle refueling method.

The number of tankers in the RFI has surprised some observers, considering that the RAAF is set to operate 5 MRTTs. However we have already covered this issue last August and stumped for 6 aircraft being the most plausible number due to a combination of factors, not least being that the RSAF would most likely have a requirement for their next tanker to be used regularly as a transport in addition to their tanker duties, supporting frequent Singapore military training exercises abroad.

VIDEO: RAAF KC-30A Tanker Refuels F/A-18B

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) KC-30A aircraft are conducting air-to-air refuelling trials with RAAF F/A-18 Hornets. Commencing with the first air-to-air contact on October 18, the trials are a mixture of 'dry' and 'wet' contacts (confirming safe connections can be made and fuel transferred respectively), and are intended to provide a partial clearance for hose-and-drogue refuelling contacts with the KC-30A, expected to be declared in December 2011. The test program will then expand throughout 2012 to increase the envelope of hose-and-drogue refuelling to other conditions, as well as train additional KC-30A personnel to conduct these tasks. Initial Operational Capability, which will include the KC-30A clearance to conduct hose-and-drogue refuelling and strategic air lift missions for the Australian Defence Force, is expected in late 2012. Air Force is receiving five KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transports, to be operated by No. 33 Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley.

Australia takes delivery of 5th C-17, carries out first RAAF KC-30 flight

Been a couple of busy days for the Royal Australian Air Force's big birds; the RAAF taking delivery from Boeing of it's fifth C-17A Globemaster III transport aircraft on the 14th of September, while back home it has carried out the first flight of its new Airbus KC-30A tanker. Initial operational capability with the KC-30A is expected in late 2012.

Singapore looking to replace KC-135s, would it acquire more than 4?

Aviationweek ran an article a few days ago about how Boeing's commitment to build 180 KC-46 tankers for the USAF might leave the field for other air forces' tanker contracts open to Airbus. It's worth a read, but what caught my eye was the following:



The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) currently operates four Boeing KC-135R Stratotankers with 112 Sqn from Changi West Airbase. All four aircraft were former US Air Force KC-135As pulled out from storage in the late 1990s and upgraded to KC-135R standard with new turbofans, avionics, a glass cockpit and a pair of Sargent-Fletcher Mk.32 (now known as the Cobham 500/700-series) refueling pods on the wings to refuel probe-equipped aircraft in addition to the fuselage mounted boom to refuel receptacle-equipped aircraft. The oldest of the RSAF's KC-135s was built in 1959, with the newest built in 1963 which would make the fleet ripe for replacement in the timeframe stated in the article.

However, what Aviationweek did not mention specifically was the number of tankers the RSAF was looking to acquire, for in addition to the KC-135s, the RSAF also operates a fleet of ten Lockheed C-130B/H Hercules transports with Paya Lebar-based 122 Sqn, most, if not all* of which are capable of mounting a pair of Cobham 48" series wing-mounted refueling pods. Furthermore, since the introduction of the KC-130s in the 1980s and the KC-135s in 1998, the RSAF's force structure has undergone a radical change. Gone from the RSAF's combat orbat are the McDonnell-Douglas A-4SU Super Skyhawks, with the locally-upgraded Northrop F-5S/T Tiger II soon to follow. In their place are 60 Lockheed-Martin F-16C/D Fighting Falcons and 24 Boeing F-15SG Strike Eagles, and it is widely expected that Singapore will be a future customer for the Lockheed-Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter.


RSAF C-130H 731 in tanker configuration. Most, if not all of the RSAF's ten-strong C-130 fleet can be configured as tankers.

What this means is that when the F-5S/T retires, the RSAF's current (and possibly future) combat fleet will comprise exclusively of aircraft which utilise the boom-and-receptacle method of inflight refueling. This would render obsolete the C-130's tanker capabilities in the RSAF (even if its transport capabilities are very much still in demand), and with US-based RSAF F-15 and F-16 training detachments needing (occasional?) support, along with frequent participation in multinational and unilateral exercises overseas**, there will almost certainly be a shortfall in the RSAF's refueling capacity, if there isn't already.

So where does this lead? I would speculate that the RSAF will acquire more than four new tankers, replacing the KC-135s and KC-130s at the same time. It is not expected that the KC-130s will be replaced on a 1-for-1 basis, given the costs involved and the disparity in capabilities of the possible contenders over the KC-130. With all of that in mind, I would, however, be very surprised if the RSAF's tender for new tankers, which Aviationweek expects to be issued as early as next year with selection in early 2013, would be for less than 6 aircraft, with even 8 aircraft being a possibility.

* - It is commonly mistakenly reported that only five of the RSAF's C-130s (four C-130Bs and one C-130H) can be configured as tankers.

** - Singapore-based RSAF jets deploy frequently to Australia, France, India, Indonesia and Thailand for exercises, with flights to and from the first three-named countries definitely requiring tanker support for F-15/F-16s to reach when flying from Singapore.

PHOTO: First RAAF KC-30A tanker arrives in Australia

The KC-30A lands for the first time on Australian soil at its new home, RAAF Base Amberley. The KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft arrived at RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland on 30 May 2011 after departing Madrid, Spain on Friday 27 May. The arrival of the first aircraft, A39-003, at RAAF Amberley follows an extensive development and test program by Airbus military in Spain for the world’s most advanced tanker aircraft. (© Commonwealth of Australia by ACW Joanne Larsen )

RAF mulls ISR role for A330 tankers

The RAF's Chief of Air Staff has indicated that it's Airbus A330 tankers could serve various roles, including being an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform. 14 tankers will enter the RAF inventory from late 2011 through to 2016.

First Saudi A330 MRTT completes maiden flight

Airbus Military's A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) has achieved another milestone with the first Royal Saudi Air Force's first aircraft successfully completed its maiden flight. The second Saudi aircraft is already being converted at the Getafe, Spain.

First of UAE's A330 MRTTs to be delivered later this year

Airbus Military has confirmed that the first of three Airbus A330 MRTT tankers ordered by the United Arab Emirates will be delivered later this year. The two other MRTTs from the order will be delivered next year.

KC-30, Pakistani K-8s removed from Avalon Airshow list

The Airbus Military KC-30 tanker destined for the Royal Australian Air Force and the Pakistani Air Force K-8 trainers previously listed as participants for the upcoming Avalon Airshow in Geelong, Victoria have been removed from the Aircraft on Display list on the Avalon Airshow website.

Airbus reveals damage to A330 tanker after boom mishap

The A330 MRTT that was involved in an in-flight refuelling training incident suffered only "some limited damage", according to Airbus Military. The boom detached at the structural mast but the boom attachment and fuselage suffered no significant damage. It is unclear how long repairs will take.

A330 MRTT transfers fuel using Fuselage Refuelling System

Demonstrating its final method of refueling, an Airbus A330 MRTT has successfully passed fuel to receiver aircraft using the Fuselage Refuelling Unit (FRU) for the first time. The FRU is a hose and drogue similar to that fitted under the wings, but with a higher rate of fuel transfer. The MRTT has demonstrated all of the aircraft´s refueling systems.

RAAF KC-30A, Portuguese F-16 damaged in mid-air incident

The Australian Defence Force has said that a Royal Australian Air Force KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) has been damaged in a mid-air incident with a Portuguese Air Force F-16. The KC-30A, operated by Airbus prior to delivery to the RAAF, suffered damage and partial loss of its boom.

Airbus plans 28 military deliveries in 2011, including first A330 MRTTs

Airbus Military is targeting 28 military aircraft deliveries in 2011 including the first six KC-330 tanker transports. However the first handover of the KC-30A tanker to lead-customer, the Royal Australian Air Force, has still not been set. The company also expects to deliver 22 smaller transports, the C-295 and CN-235, this year

Airbus MRTT completes first real refueling mission

In better news for Airbus, the MRTT has completed its first real mid-air refueling, tanking a pair of Portuguese AF F-16s when they had to remain airborne longer than expected due to their base being closed due to an emergency

Airbus misses RAAF KC-30 deadline

Despite promising to do so as late as last month, Airbus has been unable to deliver the first KC-30 tanker to the Royal Australian Air Force by the end of 2010. The delay is not technical however, it has to do with Airbus being unable to complete it's technical documentation for the aircraft boom and remote operating station.

Airbus to complete qualification flights with RAAF tankers

The last customer qualification flights involving the Royal Australian Air Force's new KC-30A tankers will be flown by early November. This clears the way for two of the modified Airbus A330s to be handed over to the RAAF before the end of 2010.