EADS’ A330-Based Tanker for the Royal Australian Air Force to Enter Final Testing

Preparations Continue for the Delivery of the First KC-30 Multi-Role Tanker/Transport to Australia Next Year

ARLINGTON, VA–(EMWNews – July 15, 2008) – The Royal Australian Air Force’s first KC-30B

Multi-role Tanker/Transport is being readied for its final phase of ground

and flight testing, which will clear the way for a 2009 delivery of the

world’s most advanced aerial tanker platform to a key U.S. ally.

The KC-30B successfully completed Phase I flight testing in just three

months earlier this year. During Phase I, the MRTT flight envelope was

explored and expanded, aerodynamic and performance data gathered, and

aircraft handling qualities validated with the full-up aerial refueling

boom and wing pod systems installed. The KC-30B achieved all Phase I

objectives, including demonstration that the modified aircraft is free from

buffet and flutter throughout the flight envelope. The Phase 1 testing

obtained all test data required to support civil certification by the

European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

“The success of the KC-30B’s outfitting, flight testing and performance

validation effort reflects the outstanding partnership between EADS, led by

the Military Transport Aircraft Division of EADS, and the Royal Australian

Air Force as we continue toward delivery of the first two aircraft next

year,” said John H. Young, Jr., CEO of EADS North America Tankers — a

business unit of EADS North America. “The significant advances of this

program, in both development and manufacturing, will directly benefit the

Northrop Grumman KC-45 Tanker and their customer, the U.S. Air Force.”

During the upcoming Phase II evaluations, the KC-30B will continue the

ground and flight test program — leading to final military certification

and qualification. Preparations for Phase II testing included the

installation of an updated state-of-the-art Boom Enhanced Visual System

(BEVS), the addition of the KC-30B’s Remote Aerial Refueling Operator

(RARO) console and installation of military avionics systems.

In parallel, the transition of military tanker conversion to Australia for

the subsequent KC-30Bs continues on schedule. Earlier this month, the

Royal Australian Air Force’s second A330 departed the Airbus final assembly

line in Toulouse, France and arrived at the Qantas Australian Conversion

Center at Brisbane Airport. This aircraft will be the first of four

KC-30Bs to undergo military conversion to full tanker configuration in

Australia.

The RAAF KC-30B is equipped with the EADS fly-by-wire Aerial Refueling Boom

System (ARBS), along with two underwing hose and drogue refueling pods.

The advanced centerline boom and underwing pod combination enables the

Royal Australian Air Force to support its own fighters, airlifters and

AWACS assets, while also offering full aerial refueling compatibility with

U.S., NATO and allied military aircraft.

EADS’ all-electric ARBS provides highly accurate, reliable in-flight

refueling, with a maximum nominal fuel flow rate of 1,200 U.S. gallons per

minute. A high resolution, panoramic and 3D-vision surveillance system

enables the boom operator to remotely control boom operations from the

cockpit during air-to-air refueling during daylight or nighttime

operations.

Five KC-30Bs have been ordered by Australia. These aircraft have a high

degree of commonality with the Northrop Grumman KC-45 tanker — selected by

the U.S. Air Force to replace the aging KC-135 tanker fleet. This

commonality ensures a low-risk approach for the U.S. Air Force tanker

program.

The multi-role tanker/transport family is derived from the highly popular

A330 jetliner. To date, more than 940 A330s have been ordered for civil,

military and government customers, and the aircraft’s production rate is

increasing to meet a growing international demand.

In addition to its acquisition by the Royal Australian Air Force, the

A330-based tanker also has been selected by the air forces of the United

Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and the United States, having

been consecutively selected in the last 5 international competitions for

next-generation aerial refueling aircraft.

About EADS North America (www.eadsnorthamerica.com)

EADS North America is the North American operations of EADS, the second

largest aerospace and defense company in the world. As a leader in all

sectors of defense and homeland security, EADS North America and its parent

company, EADS, contribute over $10 billion to the U.S. economy annually and

support more than 190,000 American jobs through its network of suppliers

and services. Operating in 17 states, EADS North America offers a broad

array of advanced solutions to its customers in the commercial, homeland

security, aerospace and defense markets.