Military Transport Planes
EADS CASA C-295
ICAO: C295
Overview
The Airbus A330 MRTT transformed the proven A330 airliner into one of the most capable aerial refueling and strategic transport platforms in service today. Combining long range, high fuel capacity, and multirole flexibility, it has become a cornerstone of modern air force logistics and global power projection.
Specifications
Units
- Engine
- 2 × General Electric CF6-80E1A4B, Rolls-Royce Trent 772B, Pratt & Whitney PW 4170
- Engine type
- Turbofan
- Thrust
- 2 × 72,000 lbf · 320 kN
- Avionics
- —
- Wing tips
- Blended tips
- Seats
- 280 economy · 226 business
- Crew
- —
- Cabin width
- 17 ft 4 in · 5.28 m
- Cabin height
- 8 ft 4 in · 2.54 m
- Cabin length
- 147 ft 8 in · 45.00 m
- Exterior length
- 193 ft 0 in · 58.82 m
- Tail height
- 57 ft 1 in · 17.40 m
- Fuselage diameter
- 18 ft 6 in · 5.64 m
- Wing span
- 197 ft 9 in · 60.28 m
- Baggage volume
- —
- Gross weight
- —
- Empty weight
- —
- Max takeoff weight
- 514,000 lb · 233,000 kg
- Max landing weight
- 401,000 lb · 182,000 kg
- Max payload
- 99,000 lb · 45,000 kg
- Fuel capacity
- 36,550 gal · 138,400 L · 110,700 kg (Jet A)
- Max cruise speed
- 475 kt · 547 mph · 880 km/h
- Maximum speed
- —
- Cruise speed
- —
- Approach speed
- 150 kt · 173 mph · 278 km/h
- Range
- 8,000 nm · 9,210 mi · 14,820 km
- Fuel burn
- 0.18 nm/gal · 0.09 km/L
- Ceiling
- 42,700 ft · 13,000 m
- Rate of climb
- 2,000 ft/min · 10 m/s
- Takeoff distance
- 8,200 ft · 2,500 m
- Landing distance
- 5,750 ft · 1,750 m
Gallery
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Operational Context
Airbus A330 MRTT — the multirole tanker transport redefining air mobility
The Airbus A330 MRTT is a military derivative of the Airbus A330-200, developed to serve as both an aerial refueling tanker and a strategic airlift aircraft. Launched in the early 2000s and entering service in 2011, the MRTT was designed to provide advanced refueling capability while retaining the spacious cabin and long-range performance of its commercial counterpart.
The aircraft can carry large quantities of fuel without requiring additional tanks in the main cabin, allowing it to perform long-range refueling missions while still transporting troops, medical patients, or cargo. It is equipped with a modern fly-by-wire refueling boom system and underwing hose-and-drogue pods, enabling it to support a wide variety of receiver aircraft. This flexibility allows it to refuel fighters, transport aircraft, and even other tankers.
Inside, the A330 MRTT can be configured for troop transport, cargo operations, or medical evacuation with dedicated stretchers and life-support systems. Its widebody cabin gives it significant advantages over smaller tanker platforms in terms of payload and comfort on long missions.
The aircraft has been selected by numerous air forces around the world and has accumulated tens of thousands of operational flight hours. Its blend of endurance, fuel offload capability, and multirole versatility has established it as one of the leading tanker aircraft of the 21st century.
Sources and references used for research and fact-checking.