Posted on 03/30/2009 10:18:38 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
Weapons of choice
Sandeep Unnithan March 27, 2009
Delhi: Russia’s near-monopoly over the Indian arms market seems to be coming to an end, thanks to the armed forces policy of placing a premium on performance and not cost.
Soon after Boeing’s $1.8-billion contract for eight P-8I Poseidon long-range naval maritime patrol aircraft—costlier than rival Airbus—the IAF is set to acquire six Airbus tankers.
Senior Defence Ministry officials confirmed that a 1-billion euro contract for six Airbus A-330 multi-role tanker-transports is close to being finalised. This despite the makers of the Russian IL-78 tanker, six of which the IAF has in service, offering a lower bid.
The IAF chose Airbus for its larger fuel load and its dual transport capability. This decision has a bearing on the world’s largest defence contract—the IAF’s acquisition of 126 medium-range fighter aircraft worth over $10 billion where Russia’s MiG-35 is a low-cost option.
All the while the Boeing “advanced” tanker offered to the USAF is still on the drawing board.
That, besides the fact that the plane has too many port-holes for a tanker aircraft.
I don’t think the port-holes part is inaccurate-the A-330 MRTT is meant to double up as transport aircraft as well.
So, if they are going to have a compartment for troops, wouldn’t it substantially reduce the tanker capacity of a plane? Not to mention the fact that it becomes a very rich target full of fuel and troops.
It’s supposed to be capable of doing both roles together, though that’s unlikely. Besides, its not in the class of dedicated troop carriers like the C-130, C-17 or IL-76.
And its most likely to have its own escort fighters while refuelling, so its not exactly a sitting duck.
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/a330-mrtt.htm
Not really. At present the limitation is using the normal airliner tankage, which still gives 111 tonne capacity - close to the Il-78M, which has no dual use capability at all.
Fitting tanks in the underfloor cargo holds of the A330 MRTT would boost the fuel load while still leaving the main deck cargo/pax area clear. The aircraft would become weight limited before main deck fuel tanks were needed.
But the present fit gives an already big fuel load with max. multi-role versatility
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