Role Multi-role tanker/transport
Manufacturer Airbus Military SAS,
Airbus Deutschland,
Lufthansa Technik
Designer Airbus Military SAS
First flight December 2003
Introduction October 2004
Status Active service
Primary users German Air Force Royal Canadian Air Force
Number built 6 (from existing A310-300C airframes)
Developed from Airbus A310-300C
Variants Airbus CC-150 Polaris
The Airbus A310 MRTT Multi-Role Tanker Transport is a military derivative of the Airbus A310-300C twin-jet wide-bodied jet airliner. The A310 MRTT was primarily designed for military use as a multi-role air-to-air refuelling tanker, cargo transport, passenger transport, and aeromedical evacuation (MedEvac) aircraft. The aircraft are designed, engineered, manufactured, and modified by Airbus Industrie and EADS subsidiary Airbus Military SAS, along with their subcontractors, which included Airbus Deutschland and Lufthansa Technik. The conversion from the A310 MRT involves:
The design of the in-flight refuelling pod and wing reinforcements and systems was subcontracted to ITD SA, at that time part of the Industria de Turbo Propulsores (ITP) Group. When not used as an in-flight refueller, i.e., in an air cargo role, the A310 MRTT is capable of carrying a non-fuel payload of up to 37 tonnes (36 long tons; 41 short tons), or 81,600 lb. When used in a troop transport role, the A310 MRTT can accommodate up to 214 seats. And for a mixed-use combined troop transport and cargo, it can carry 54 troops and 12 pallets.[1] The A310 MRTT contains four separate cargo systems within the fuselage, including the main deck cargo compartment, which is loaded and unloaded via the vertically opening main deck cargo door, located on the front left (port) side. This means that main deck cargo can be loaded by overhead crane, in addition to conventional cargo loading platforms. Below deck are three more cargo compartments, and can accommodate container and palletised loads up to 96 inches (2,400 millimetres) in height. When used in the aero-medical MedEvac role, the A310 MRTT can accommodate up to six intensive care units, together with 56 conventional stretchersCeiling
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The first operational use with the German Luftwaffe took place on 4 February 2009; 14 years ago, when three German Eurofighter Typhoons of Jagdgeschwader 73 Steinhoff (30+23, 30+25, and 30+38), led by Colonel Andreas Schick.
In January 1996, the Beluga formally entered service, ferrying components from various aerospace sites to the final assembly lines in Toulouse and Hamburg
Since entering service, the Beluga has been subject to several infrastructure upgrades. In 2011, Pau Pyrénées Airport.
