Airbus A310 Multi Role Transport (MRT)
Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT)
The Airbus A310 MRT for the German Air Force is a joint project of DaimlerChrysler Aerospace Airbus GmbH and Lufthansa Technik. The MRT - Multi Role Transport - can fulfil a wide range of different transport tasks with just one aircraft type. The concept is based on conversions of Airbus A310-300 commercial aircraft, which are already in worldwide operation. Standardized kits - including all systems for transport tasks - are used for the conversion in accordance with customer requirements.
The Multi-Role Transport (MRT) version will be realized by the conversion of Airbus passenger aircraft by means of DaimlerChrysler Aerospace Airbus conversion kits. In three versions, the aircraft can fulfil the tasks passenger/personnel transport, combined cargo and passenger/personnel transport, or conduct ambulance flights for ill, hurt or wounded persons (MEDEVAC). All versions offer the advantages of modern, economic and proven medium-to-long-range widebody aircraft and are capable of performing transport tasks at favorable operating costs. At the same time, the fleet of transport aircraft is harmonized by having only one single aircraft type - including VIP versions. With this cargo combi version, a wide range of transport tasks can be covered: transporting personnel and cargo as well as conducting ambulance flights. The first order of this kind will be an A310 Multi-Role Transport (MRT) performed for the German Air Force in 1998. The integration of a tanker kit for air-to-air refueling by means of Airbus Industrie conversion kits will also be possible at a later date.
The Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) concept provides for the use of the twin-jet A310 as a multi-purpose military transport and tanker. It is planned to enhance the MRT into a Multi Role Tanker Transport for the German Air Force through the installation of a tanker kit.
The A310 Multi-Role Transport Tanker (MRTT) is based on the A310 passenger aircraft, which was first converted to combine passenger and cargo carrying capabilities in the Multi-Role Transport (MRT) version. A310 MRT aircraft have been flying with the German and Canadian Air Forces for a number of years and have proven to be reliable and flexible passenger and cargo transport aircraft.
Following a second modification, the MRT has become an MRTT version of the A310, now including in-flight refuelling capabilities for all military aircraft that can connect to hose/drogue refuelling systems, such as the Tornado, the Eurofighter or and F-18s.
The A310 MRTT is a conversion package offered by a consortium of Airbus and Lufthansa Technik (LHT). The work on three aircraft will be done at Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW) in Dresden, while another three will be converted at LHT facilities in Hamburg.
On 29 September 2004 the first two Airbus aircraft with air-to-air refuelling capabilities, A310 Multi-Role Transport Tanker (MRTT) aircraft, were handed over to the German Air Force and the Canadian Air Force. A total of six A310 MRTTs, to be used both for passenger and cargo transport as well as for in-flight refuelling, are scheduled to be delivered to the German Air Force, which will receive four aircraft, and the Canadian Air Force, which will receive two.
With this milestone event, Airbus has become a provider of aircraft with in-flight refuelling capabilities, further expanding the scope of its products. Together with the A330 MRTT and the A400M, which is a tactical tanker, several tanker solutions with distinctive qualities will be available.
