A successful first flight for the United Arab Emirates’ initial A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport

Airbus Military’s A330-based aerial refueling programme has marked a new milestone with the maiden flight of the United Arab Emirates Air Force’s no. 1 A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) – which was completed on 9 April. As this aircraft features certain avionics differences from A330 MRTTs ordered by other nations – and is the first to be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines – the certification and qualification phase now begins for these new elements.