Successful first flights of the new EADS Air Refuelling Boom System (ARBS)
Madrid, 03 April 2006
On March 30, 2006 the first phase of the ARBS (Air Refuelling Boom System) flight test programme has successfully been completed after 3 years of development, where EADS CASA has completed the design and manufacture of this new generation refuelling boom. Preliminary results of the tests have shown the aircraft’s handling qualities are not influenced by the boom installation.
The flight test programme is devoted to prove the performance of the new boom installed on an Airbus platform and it includes, for instance, opening the work envelope of the tanker or performing dry/wet contacts with an F-16.
This first phase of the test programme, with the boom flying at stowed position, started with the first flight on March 16, 2006. Last flight (6th) was successfully performed on March 30.
Three have been the objectives of this phase of the flight test programme: to clear the aircraft envelope of flutter effects and check that the whole flight envelope of the aircraft is free of non-damped vibrations, to evaluate the Handling Qualities of the aircraft with the boom installed in stowed position, and to check the potential influence of the boom mast on the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) air intake.
Preliminary results of these tests have shown that the aircraft platform and boom structure are free of any form of flutter vibration,the influence of the boom installation on the aircraft handling qualities has proved to be minimal and that there is no influence on the APU air intake.
With this successful start, the development of this new boom system takes an important step forward. The ARBS will place EADS in the forefront of air refuelling technology.
Besides an advanced boom main structure, the ARBS has fly-by-wire controls, including an automatic load alleviation system, that gives a larger refuelling envelope and improved controllability. The maximum nominal fuel flow is 1200 US gal./min. A boom operator, RARO (Remote Aerial Refuelling Operator), sat at a station located in the cockpit, controls an artificial 3D-vision surveillance system during the entire air-to-air refuelling process.
EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2005, EADS generated revenues of € 34,2 billion and employed a workforce of about 113,000. The EADS Group includes the aircraft manufacturer Airbus, the world's largest helicopter supplier Eurocopter and the joint venture MBDA, the international leader in missile systems. EADS is the major partner in the Eurofighter consortium, is the prime contractor for the Ariane launcher, develops the A400M military transport aircraft and is the largest industrial partner for the European satellite navigation system Galileo.
Contact for the media:
Miguel Sánchez
Communications
EADS CASA
Tel.: +34 91 585 77 89
Eduardo Galicia
Communications
EADS CASA
Tel.: +34 91 585 77 89
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