Airbus A310 military proposals

[Hobbes]

I found this leaflet showing military variants of the A310.

The Airbus MRTT is a wide-bodied multi-role tanker transport based on the Airbus A310-300. It is ideally sized to replace the current generation of strategic tankers, particularly KC-135/B707 or VC10 based aircraft. It provides the right capacity for new tanker operators. The MRTT will bring the benefits of modern systems and twin-engine efficiency to air-to-air refuelling and strategic transport.

MRTT : Tanker
• 33 tonnes of transferable fuel available during 3000nm trail operation
• 40 tonnes of transferable fuel at 1000nm, 2 hours on station
• Probe and drogue, and boom systems available.

Basic Data
• In commercial and military service worldwide
• Modern systems for high reliability
• Two-pilot digital flight deck
• PW or GE powerplants
• Cruise speed: MO. 79
• MTOW: up to 164t.

MRTT: Strategic transport
• Payload: up to 35 tonnes, 96" pallet height available
• Wide body gives greatest flexibility of configuration of loads
• Range: greater than 4000nm with max passengers, 7000nm ferry
• Passenger, medical evacuation, combi and quick change versions available.
The MRTT has a true widebody fuselage providing enhanced cargo carrying potential on the main deck and in the underfloor holds.
The MRTT provides the flexibility to meet the tanking and transport requirements of modern Air Forces in today's changing environment.



The tanker version was produced for Germany and Canada. The A310 AEW also shown in this image is not mentioned in the leaflet, this seems to be the Raytheon proposal for the RAAF AEW competition that would be won by the Boeing 737 Wedgetail.

Raytheon Systems Company, in conjunction with the Elta Division of Israeli Aircraft Industries and Airbus Industries, developed the Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system. ...

The system developed by Raytheon and its partners was based on an Airbus A310-300 aircraft - an ideal platform given that aircraft's wide body, long endurance, modern flight deck and systems and economical operation. An advanced 360o derivative of the fully operational ELTA PHALCON Electronically Scanned Phased Array Radar is traditionally mounted in a fixed dome above the airframe. A Raytheon open architecture, advanced tactical data system is integrated with all onboard sensors to control the system and display the tactical situation on a dual screen crew console. This combination of aircraft, radar and mission system was selected after a lengthy evaluation because it meets or exceeds all known AEW&C requirements, and because of the generous provision for growth in each key element of the system. The Wedgetail System can be expanded to include additional sensors and an airborne refuelling capability. Other options include a Mission Support Segment, Operational Mission Simulator, Operational flight Trainer and AEW&C Support Facility. Mission endurance will exceed 10 hours.

 

[kitnut617]

Can I add the BAe 844 (at the bottom of this 1984 Marconi advert)

 

[EwenS]

I found this leaflet showing military variants of the A310.

The Airbus MRTT is a wide-bodied multi-role tanker transport based on the Airbus A310-300. It is ideally sized to replace the current generation of strategic tankers, particularly KC-135/B707 or VC10 based aircraft. It provides the right capacity for new tanker operators. The MRTT will bring the benefits of modern systems and twin-engine efficiency to air-to-air refuelling and strategic transport.

MRTT : Tanker
• 33 tonnes of transferable fuel available during 3000nm trail operation
• 40 tonnes of transferable fuel at 1000nm, 2 hours on station
• Probe and drogue, and boom systems available.

Basic Data
• In commercial and military service worldwide
• Modern systems for high reliability
• Two-pilot digital flight deck
• PW or GE powerplants
• Cruise speed: MO. 79
• MTOW: up to 164t.

MRTT: Strategic transport
• Payload: up to 35 tonnes, 96" pallet height available
• Wide body gives greatest flexibility of configuration of loads
• Range: greater than 4000nm with max passengers, 7000nm ferry
• Passenger, medical evacuation, combi and quick change versions available.
The MRTT has a true widebody fuselage providing enhanced cargo carrying potential on the main deck and in the underfloor holds.
The MRTT provides the flexibility to meet the tanking and transport requirements of modern Air Forces in today's changing environment.

View attachment 675788

The tanker version was produced for Germany and Canada. The A310 AEW also shown in this image is not mentioned in the leaflet, this seems to be the Raytheon proposal for the RAAF AEW competition that would be won by the Boeing 737 Wedgetail.

Raytheon Systems Company, in conjunction with the Elta Division of Israeli Aircraft Industries and Airbus Industries, developed the Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system. ...

The system developed by Raytheon and its partners was based on an Airbus A310-300 aircraft - an ideal platform given that aircraft's wide body, long endurance, modern flight deck and systems and economical operation. An advanced 360o derivative of the fully operational ELTA PHALCON Electronically Scanned Phased Array Radar is traditionally mounted in a fixed dome above the airframe. A Raytheon open architecture, advanced tactical data system is integrated with all onboard sensors to control the system and display the tactical situation on a dual screen crew console. This combination of aircraft, radar and mission system was selected after a lengthy evaluation because it meets or exceeds all known AEW&C requirements, and because of the generous provision for growth in each key element of the system. The Wedgetail System can be expanded to include additional sensors and an airborne refuelling capability. Other options include a Mission Support Segment, Operational Mission Simulator, Operational flight Trainer and AEW&C Support Facility. Mission endurance will exceed 10 hours.

Great! But when does it date back to? The basic A310 airliner has been out of production since 1998 and of the 255 built only 32 remain in service including only one with the Luftwaffe due to be retired this year and five with the Canadians, who are also looking to their replacement.

 

[TomS]

Great! But when does it date back to? The basic A310 airliner has been out of production since 1998 and of the 255 built only 32 remain in service including only one with the Luftwaffe due to be retired this year and five with the Canadians, who are also looking to their replacement.

Judging from the marking on the brochure (AI/CM-S(V)319.024/97), I'd say probably 1997.