The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) signed, this Monday (18/04), the contract for the acquisition of two aircraft model Airbus A330-200, compatible with the military version A330 MRTT (from English Multi-Role Tanker Transport).
The company Azul SA was declared the winner in early April for meeting all the bidding requirements, submitting an offer in the global amount of approximately US$ 80 million, equivalent to R$ 375 million reais, at current quotations. The process ended on April 07th.
The airline presented the MSN 1492 aircraft (Manufacturer's Serial Number), which it already operated, and the MSN 1508, acquired in the international market and offered for bidding. As provided for in the announcement, the first aircraft must be delivered within 90 days and the second in up to 150 days, counted from the signature of the contract.
Negotiations with the company Airbus to convert commercial aircraft into MRTT platforms will begin in the coming weeks, so that the first aircraft with this configuration enters into operation in 2024.
The acquisition aims to fill FAB's operational shortcomings in strategic actions, such as In-Flight Refueling (REVO), Logistic Air Transport (of cargo and engers) and Humanitarian Aid. In situations of public calamity, such as natural disasters, pandemics or medical emergencies, the plane can also carry out Aeromedical Evacuation (EVAM) missions for a large number of patients.
Both, which already have their registrations defined (FAB 2901 and FAB 2902), will receive the designation KC-30 and will be operated by the Second Squadron of the Second Transport Group (2nd/2nd GT) – Corsair Squadron, based at Galeão Air Base (BAGL), in Rio de Janeiro (RJ).
Throughout its history, the FAB has had only one vector capable of fulfilling this variety of strategic missions: the Boeing KC-137, which last flew in 2013. Today, the FAB's largest aircraft are the KC-390 Millennium, which they play an important role in air cargo and personnel transport missions, parachute launches, airborne assault, among others, in a tactical scenario.
With the new acquisition, the FAB combines the possibilities of the KC-390 with the characteristics of strategic use of the KC-30, resulting in a significant increase in its operability.
As Brazil is a country of continental dimensions, it becomes imperative to have the capacity to deploy its air assets, troops and equipment anywhere, anytime.
A strategic aircraft, loaded with around 110 tons of fuel, is a multiplier factor for the capabilities of any air force, due to the possibility of ing a large number of fighter aircraft in their job missions. In addition, the other characteristics of the aircraft are essential to fulfill logistics and transport missions.
Several countries already operate the A330 MRTT, such as , United Kingdom and Australia, among others.
multimission vector
A strategic transport and REVO multimission vector is characterized by being able to transport engers, in a conventional commercial cabin, and a large volume of cargo in the holds, on long-haul flights. The same cabin can be quickly reconfigured to fulfill aeromedical evacuation missions, that is, it can be molded according to operational needs, with great flexibility.
Thus, with the combination of the potential of the two aircraft, the Brazilian Air Force makes an extraordinary operational leap in Transport Aviation and guarantees, even more effectively, the maintenance of airspace sovereignty and integration of the national territory, with a view to defending the Homeland .
the aircraft
The two widebody are ex-Avianca Brasil aircraft. MSN 1492, newer, made its first flight on 14/04/2014 and delivered to Avianca with registration number N941AV in October 2014. In November 2017 it was transferred to Avianca Brasil, which operated it until the end of its operations with registration PR-OCJ. After being acquired by Azul Linhas Aéreas in 2019, it received the PR-AIS registration and was stocked in December 2020.
The MSN 1508 made its first flight on 14/03/2014, also delivered to the Colombian airline in October of the same year, with registration number N508AV. In July 2017, it was transferred to the Brazilian arm of Avianca, receiving registration PR-OCK and was later returned to the leasing company Titan Airways, where it is ed as G-POWX.
Both are powered by a pair of Trent 772B-60 RR engines.
With information from FAB and airfleets.net
