Aircraft

DATE:29/06/09
SOURCE:Flight International
PICTURE: UK's first FSTA A330 tanker gets Royal Air Force colours

The first Airbus A330-200 for the UK's Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) programme has been painted in Royal Air Force colours, ahead of being delivered to Airbus Military's Getafe site near Madrid, Spain, for role-conversion work.

Pictured on 26 June at Airbus's Toulouse site in France carrying its manufacturer's civil registration, the aircraft is the first of 14 FSTA airframes to be produced. It made its first flight on 4 June.

 
© French Frogs Aviation Pictures

Structured as a 27-year private finance initiative deal, the UK's FSTA project, worth roughly £13 billion ($20.9 billion), will be delivered by AirTanker, a consortium comprising Cobham, EADS UK, Rolls-Royce, Thales UK and VT Group.

Deliveries are due to take place from 2011, with the modified A330s to replace the RAF's Lockheed TriStars and Vickers VC10s in delivering tanker/transport services.


Rate this article
12345
Poor   Outstanding
Average rating: 4 out of 5

Click here to check out the highest rated articles
 

For exclusive news and expert analysis every week subscribe to Flight International print edition. Included with your subscription are 4 FREE issues and FREE delivery to your home or office.


FREE Online Marketing Training

Learn how to reach new customers through online advertising and email marketing, drive traffic through SEO and generate new leads online with Flightglobal's 'What Works Online' webinar series

Don’t miss you opportunity to be trained by the experts

Huge discount when you post-a-job online!

Flightglobal Jobs

Advertise your jobs on Flightglobal Jobs for just £499 - usually £750! For more information visit our 'For Recruiters' section.