Airbus and the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) worked together to successfully complete the air-to-air automatic refueling (A3R) flight test campaign with the Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) and F-15, prior to its certification in the first half of 2024.
Over the course of three weeks in August, an RSAF A330 MRTT made more than 500 automated wet and dry s with the Air Force's entire fleet of receiver aircraft, including the F-15SG aircraft, a customized variant of the US-made F-15E. . Strike Eagle air-to-ground combat jet.
Flight tests with the F-15SG were carried out in Singapore, covering the entire AAR operational envelope in different weather conditions, under the supervision of the Spanish certification authority, called INTA (National Institute of Aerospace Technology).
Automatic air-to-air refueling at night with F-15, F-16 and MRTT
During the test campaign, further flights were carried out under night conditions, not only with F-15s, but also with RSAF F-16s as receivers for data collection, to complete the development and enable night capabilities with the automated system.
In July 2022, the A330 MRTT became the world's first tanker certified for automatic air-to-air refueling operations in daytime conditions with F-16 and A330 MRTT as receivers.
The automatic refueling system reduces aerial refueling operator workload, improves safety, and optimizes air-to-air refueling throughput under operational conditions to maximize air superiority.
Proven in combat since 2014, the Airbus A330 MRTT is certified for aerial refueling with boom and hose systems capable of refueling F-15, F-16, F-35, A330 MRTT, AWACS, Eurofighter fighters and other aircraft in the air.
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