Airbus Military has completed all the flight tests required for the daylight certification of the new generation hose-and drogue refuelling system on the A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT).

This paves the way towards the formal military certification of the system from Spain's INTA certification authority this summer.

The A330 MRTTT is fitted with the Cobham 905 system, which provides refuelling from under-wing pods. It is the most advanced hose and drogue refuelling system currently available. Testing covered all of the flight envelope required to certify the aircraft handling qualities with the hose-and-drogue deployed, and included a wide range of manoeuvres both in free-flight and in coupled mode with Spanish Air Force F-18 fighters.

"Following civil certification of the A330 MRTT on 17th March 2010, the completion of this flight-test phase is a further major step towards final military certification of the aircraft", says Airbus Military Head of Derivatives, Antonio Caramazana.

Meanwhile, flight testing of the Airbus Military Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS) is also progressing well and will be completed shortly. Delivery of the first A330 MRTT will be to the Royal Australian Air Force later this year.