The Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) project is aimed at providing the Royal Air Force's Air Refuelling capability through the private finance initiative (PFI).

Under this PFI which will cost around £13 billion, the AirTanker consortium has been selected as the preferred bidder for the FSTA project.

The PFI contract currently under negotiation with AirTanker is based on the firm assumption that the FSTA aircraft are both operated from, and maintained at, RAF Brize Norton.

FSTA will replace the in-service Tri Star and VC10 aircraft.

The AirTanker consortium comprises Cobham, EADS, Rolls-Royce, Thales and VT Group. The Airbus Military division of EADS will be responsible for designing, developing and converting the tankers and for delivering the completed aircraft to AirTanker.

The A330-200 offered by AirTanker for the MoD’s requirement will probably remain in service until about 2040 and the aircraft will refuel combat aircraft such as the Typhoon and the F35B which will enter service during the next decade.

FSTA aircraft will be two point tankers, equipped with 2 x FRL Mk32B 900E pods. Some aircraft will also be capable of being fitted as three point tankers.

The full passenger and cargo capability can be used while the A330-200 is configured for AAR operations.

In its air-to-air refuelling role the FSTA will have the ability to offload 60 tonnes of fuel 1,000 miles from base, and remain on station for 2 hours. On a typical deployment over about 3,000 miles, a single A330 would be able to refuel four Tornados and still carry 11,000 lb (5000 kg) of freight and/or 290 passengers.

14 x Aircraft are due to be delivered from 2011 onward.

 

AIRBUS A330 Specifications
Crew	3
Engines	Two Rolls Royce Trent turbofans 72,000lbs thrust each
Length	193ft 7in (59.00m)
Wingspan	197ft 10in (60.30m)
Top Speed	405mph (648kph)

Of the competing bids, it was announced in early 2004 that Air Tanker was to be chosen as the MoD's preferred bidder.

AirTanker's bid centred on the Airbus A330 aircraft. All aircraft will be capable as 2-point tankers, equipped with 2 FRL Mk32B 900E pods. A number of the fleet will also be capable of being fitted as 3-point tankers. Very few internal changes are required to the A330-200 to modify it for the air-to-air refuelling role. In particular no additional fuel tanks are required. As the A330 shares the same wing as the four-engined A340, there is a pre-strengthened location available for mounting the wing AAR pods. As a consequence, refuelling pods can be fitted with minimal modifications and without any strengthening required to the aircraft.

The full passenger and cargo capability can be used while the A330-200 is configured for AAR operations. The cabin remains fully configured and the cargo compartments are unobstructed. On a typical deployment across the Atlantic, a single A330 would be able to refuel four Tornados and still carry 11,000lb (5000kg) of freight/passengers.

One novel aspect of the contract is the facility lease the aircraft for civil operations. The considerable commercial demand for the A330 makes it more attractive to third-parties who will operate those aircraft in the fleet not immediately required for RAF use. This will deliver a major cost saving to the MoD and taxpayer and ensures that the considerable capability advantages of the A330 are affordable.

The A330 will replace the RAF's existing VC10 and Tristar fleets at RAF Brize Norton.

Roles

• Air Transport (AT). The movement of personnel and support equipment.

• Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR). The facility to extend the range, endurance or payload of air operations.

• Aeromedical Evacuation (Aeromed). The airlift of patients.