Airbus Military has announced that its first Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) A330 MRTT conversion has successfully completed its first flight, landing back at the company’s Getafe, Spain test site after a four hour, 15 minute long journey on March 15.
The aircraft will now enter the final certification and qualification phase for this version of the A330 MRTT, leading to contractual delivery later this year. A second RSAF aircraft is already in conversion at Getafe, while a third will begin the process mid-year.
Five A330 MRTTs have already flown prior to the recent March 15 flight, including three for the RAAF and two for the RAF. Airbus claim that two of the RAAF’s A330 MRTTs are “already technically complete and ready for delivery”, pending finalisation of contractual talks which have been delayed numerous times by the troubled program.
