Airbus: Sharp Rise In Tanker Interest Amid MRTT+ Rollout

SINGAPORE—Airbus Defense and Space says it has seen a sharp rise in the market for refueling tankers as it pitches the new generation of its A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT), though a second buyer has not yet appeared.

 

In September, Thailand became the launch customer for the A330+, which is a modified version of the A330-800 instead of the A330-200 that is used for the original MRTT. Bangkok is buying one of the new tankers, but there will be more to come, the company says.

 

María Ángeles Martí, the head of tanker and derivatives for Airbus Defense and Space, told reporters Feb. 4 at the Singapore Airshow that the company has seen the market for tankers double compared to what was forecasted years ago. This is largely related to tensions globally increasing, sparking a rising need for fighters and, in turn, more tankers.

 

The MRTT+ is an increase in capability, including a maximum takeoff weight of 242 tons compared to 233 tons for the previous version. It has wingtips, contributing to an 8% increase in fuel efficiency. There is still about 95% commonality between the two, meaning pilots will not need much additional training—allowing for a possible mixed fleet of existing MRTT owners.

 

While Airbus can still retrofit older A330-200s into the previous MRTT standard, the company is pressing for buyers to go for the new aircraft in part because there are fewer older aircraft available and they are facing increasing obsolescence issues.

 

“The longer we wait, the less units will be available—that’s why we push for these brand-new platforms,” she says.

 

Also on Feb. 4, Singapore-based ST Engineering announced it signed a memorandum of understanding with Airbus to carry out a cabin modification program for the MRTT+. The agreement covers engineering design, certification and aircraft modification services for the program.

 

Martí boasts that Airbus has won 90% of the competitions it enters for tankers, outside of the U.S. The U.S. remains a bit of a sore spot for the company, decades after losing out on the KC-Y competition after a forced re-compete to Boeing’s KC-46. The Air Force has also opted to buy more KC-46s instead of holding a competition for a follow-on order. Airbus had partnered with Lockheed Martin for an MRTT variant called the LMXT before Lockheed dropped out. Airbus had submitted an offer for the follow-on order, but the Air Force decided against a competition, stating buying anything other than the KC-46 would take too long.

 

The Air Force last summer released a request for information for a future tanker, called the Next-Generation Aerial Refueling System. Martí, when asked if Airbus responded to the request for information, responded “I will pass on that question.”