Airbus A310 MRTT

Airbus A310 MRTT

Company type	Military aircraft variant
Industry	Aerospace, Defence
Predecessor	Airbus A310 MRT
Founded	2003
Headquarters	Toulouse , France
Products	Multi-role tanker transport aircraft

The Airbus A310 MRTT Multi-Role Tanker Transport serves as a military aerial refuelling tanker and transport aircraft engineered for diverse mission profiles. It is derived from the earlier Airbus A310 MRT Multi-Role Transport, which functioned as a military transport for personnel, freight, and medical evacuation. Both variants represent specialized military adaptations of the civilian wide-body Airbus A310-300C passenger airliner, modified to fulfill defence operational needs.

Design and development

The Airbus A310 MRTT (Multi-Role Tanker Transport) is a military adaptation of the Airbus A310-300C twin-engine wide-body airliner, primarily intended for air-to-air refuelling, cargo and passenger transportation, as well as aeromedical evacuation (MedEvac).

This conversion was carried out by Airbus Industrie in collaboration with its EADS subsidiary Airbus Military SAS, supported by subcontractors such as Airbus Deutschland and Lufthansa Technik. Key modifications include:

• Installation of two air-to-air refuelling (AAR) pods positioned beneath each wing near the wingtips;
• Addition of five centre fuel tanks (ACT), increasing fuel capacity by 28,000 kg to a total of 77,500 kg (96,920 liters);
• Creation of a fuel operator station (FOS) located behind the captain’s seat to manage fuel offload operations, cameras, radios, and lighting systems. This station incorporates a night-vision capable video interface developed by Germany’s FTI Group;
• Structural reinforcement of wings and aircraft flooring;
• Minor adjustments to cockpit instrumentation.

The design and integration of the in-flight refuelling pods and wing strengthening were subcontracted to ITD SA, a member of the Industria de Turbo Propulsores Group.

In its cargo role, the A310 MRTT can transport up to 37 tonnes (81,600 lb) of non-fuel payload. When configured for troop movement, it accommodates as many as 214 personnel; alternatively, it can carry 54 troops alongside 12 cargo pallets. The aircraft is equipped with four distinct cargo handling systems, including a main deck compartment accessible via a vertically hinged door on the port side that allows loading with an overhead crane. Additionally, three lower deck compartments support containerized and palletized loads up to 96 inches in height.

For aeromedical evacuation missions, the aircraft is capable of carrying six intensive care units along with 56 stretcher patients.

The standard crew consists of three members—two pilots plus an air-to-air refuelling operator—though pilots can assume full control over refuelling functions if the operator station is not in use. The aircraft can offload up to 33 tonnes of fuel over distances reaching 3,000 nautical miles or deliver 40 tonnes during shorter sorties around 1,000 nautical miles. Fuel management is automated to ensure continuous engine supply while maintaining centre-of-gravity balance.

Its dual hose-and-drogue system utilizes Mk32B pods supplied by Flight Refuelling Ltd (FRL), mounted under each wing, enabling simultaneous refuelling of two receiver aircraft at flow rates up to 15,000 liters per minute.

EADS invested approximately $90 million developing a flying boom refuelling system akin to that employed by the U.S. Air Force. This system delivers fuel at rates up to 1,200 US gallons per minute through two hose drum units installed in the aft fuselage. The flying boom option is predominantly available on larger Airbus tanker platforms such as the A330 MRTT.

Compared to the newer A330 MRTT, the A310 MRTT has roughly 30% lower maximum takeoff weight. Since production of the A310 ceased in 2007, further conversions are limited to existing airframes or upgrades for current users like Germany and Canada. Its fuel capacity is comparable to that of the KC-135R but offers enhanced operational versatility thanks to its more spacious cabin suitable for cargo transport, troop deployment, or VIP missions—although it lacks capability for rough field landings required in strategic transport roles. Airbus markets this platform primarily toward operators seeking replacements for aging Boeing 707 tankers.

Despite production having ended years ago, Pakistan has procured an MRTT variant based on the A310 architecture.

Canada

The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) adapted two out of their five A310 MRTs into the MRTT variant, referred to as the CC-150 Polaris within Canadian operations, with the initial aircraft delivered in October 2004.

Germany

The German Air Force (Luftwaffe) was the inaugural purchaser of the MRTT, initiating the conversion of four out of seven A310 MRTs beginning in October 2004. By June 2007, EADS supplied the first enhanced A310 MRTT featuring upgraded mission avionics, which allowed its deployment with the NATO Reaction Forces.

The Luftwaffe's maiden operational deployment took place on , involving three German Eurofighter Typhoon jets from Jagdgeschwader 73 Steinhoff. These fighters were refuelled mid-flight by an A310 MRTT while en route from Laage Airbase, Germany, to Yelahanka Air Force Station, India. This operation formed part of the MRTT’s operational evaluation phase and spanned nearly , including a refuelling stop at Al Dahfra Air Base, UAE. The mission aimed to demonstrate the Eurofighter’s capabilities in India’s Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) competition against contenders such as the Mikoyan MiG-35, Saab JAS 39 Gripen, Lockheed Martin F-16, Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, and Dassault Rafale.