EADS N.V. - EADS and the Military Transport Aircraft Division highlight their aerial refueling product range at the ARSAG annual conference

April 28, 2006

The full spectrum of EADS aerial refueling capabilities was highlighted on the company’s exhibit stand at the 2006 ARSAG (Aerial Refueling Systems Advisory Group) annual conference, which was held April 24-27 in San Diego, California.

The EADS exhibit included displays of the A330 and A310 Multi-role Tanker Transports (MRTT), the A400M transport/tanker, and the C-295 in its role as a tanker for helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.

EADS North America and the Military Transport Aircraft Division (MTAD) are the principal subcontractors on the Northrop Grumman KC-30 Advanced Multi-role Tanker Transport (AMTT) team that is seeking to support the U.S. Air Force’s KC-135 tanker fleet recapitalization. The MTAD also is the prime contractor for the sale of five A-330 MRTTs to the Royal Australian Air Force. EADS and the MTAD also have been selected as the preferred bidder for the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force to provide military refueling aircraft systems.

Based on the highly successful A330 airliner, the A330 MRTT provides a total air mobility solution – with exceptional capacity for in-flight refueling, plus full flexibility in cargo delivery, passenger transport, aeromedical evacuation and other missions.

EADS’ A310 MRTT – which utilizes the same optimized widebody fuselage cross-section of the A330 MRTT – is being delivered to the German and Canadian air forces. In addition to its use as a tanker, the aircraft is a highly capable troop transport, and also be operated in a combined cargo/troop-transport layout or configured for medevac missions with intensive-care units.

The KC-30 was in the spotlight during ARSAG’s annual conference, as the U.S. Air Force released its request for information (RFI) on tanker fleet modernization solutions while the annual meeting was in progress. The issuance of this much-anticipated RFI became one of the “hot” stories at the ARSAG meeting.

Two other aircraft also were spotlighted at EADS’ ARSAG exhibit stand – the A400M and C-295, which are perfectly suited to in-theater tanker missions, including as combat rescue tankers.

The A400M’s flight envelope allows it to refuel a wide range of aircraft and helicopters at the altitudes appropriate to their missions. This 21st century airlifter has entered full-scale production for a growing list of international military forces, which have ordered more than 190 aircraft to date.

Tactical refueling support also is provided by the EADS CASA C-295 passenger and cargo transport, which can be outfitted with a hose drum unit in the cabin.