A first flight of the A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport for Saudi Arabia

Airbus Military’s A330-based aerial refuelling programme marked a new milestone as the first A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) for the Royal Saudi Air Force completed its maiden flight on 15 March.

The aircraft now enters its final certification and qualification phase for this version of the A330 MRTT, leading to contractual delivery later in the year.

A second A330 MRTT for the Royal Saudi Air Force is now being converted to its tanker configuration at Airbus Military’s Getafe facility near Madrid, Spain, and a third will enter the process during 2011.