EADS comments on 6-9 month MRTT delay

Australia's Ministry of Defense has confirmed the first KC-30 will be delivered at least six to nine months late.

This delay will surely play a factor in the currently suspended debate about the US Air Force KC-X tanker selection, whenever the incoming Obama administration gets around to restarting source selection.

Meanwhile, here's the EADS statement on the current situation with the multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) program in Australia.

The reasons for the adjustment are really three fold: 

1.  the mutual decision by EADS and RAAF to take the aircraft to the Paris air show;

2.  the RAAF directed changes to the MRTT configuration following contract award which has served to extend the development and testing program (including modifications to the refueling and avionics systems);

3.  the RAAF has requested additional flight testing to ensure a more robust mission system when delivered. 

Therefore aircraft #1 will continue in an extended flight test program, while in-country modifications to A/C 2-5 continue on pace in Australia.  Even so, the date for Full Operational Capability (FOC) remains as it has always been  -- 2011.  In the end A/C 2 may reach the flight line before #1 in order to facilitate the extended test and validation program.