The Canadian Forces
currently maintains a fleet of five Airbus A310
aircraft, known locally as the CC-150 Polaris, which
performs several duties, including: passenger (and
VIPS) transport, airlift capabilities, and medical
evacuations. This sphere of operations has recently
been expanded through the conversion of two of the
aircraft into the A310 Multi-Role Tanker Transport
so that they may perform air-to-air refueling
operations.
The A310 Multi-Role
Tanker Transport (MRTT) is a conversion program
offered by the cooperation of Airbus and Lufthansa
Technik (LHT). First undertaken by the German
Luftwaffe, which converted four of their seven A310
transport planes, the Canadian military became the
second global customer. Both air forces received
their first converted aircraft in September 2004.
The conversion program is a prelude to Airbus A330
MRTT project which will create a dedicated
air-to-air refueling platform from the ground up
based on the A330 structure. It also marks the
further expansion into the military aircraft sector
by Airbus, which is also developing the A400M, a
tactical transporter which will compete with the
iconic C130 Hercules of Lockheed Martin. The use of
specialized modules will allow the converted
aircraft to also be able to perform the traditional
duties of passenger and cargo transport in addition
to its new specialty.
The conversion of the
Polaris to the MRTT version involves five phases:
-
Installation of two
air-to-air refueling pods under each wing;
-
Four additional
fuel tanks (extra 28,000kg) - giving total
capacity of almost 78,000kg;
-
Fuel Operator
Station (FOS) to control fuel offload, cameras
etc, military radios and exterior lighting;
-
Reinforced wings
and aircraft floor; and
-
Minor cockpit
modifications.
The Fuel Operator
Station will utilize a night-vision, and infrared,
equipped video system to permit the conduction of
refueling operations in all conditions.
The
acquisition of the MRTT variant of the Polaris is an
important part of the Canadian military’s
modernization program for the Air Force. The two
converted Polaris aircraft, with planned
modifications to their airframes under the program,
will be able to serve in the air-to-air refueling
mission for decades to come. This will allow the
overworked Hercules fleet, which can perform
air-to-air refueling, to focus on tactical transport
missions instead.
|
CC-150
POLARIS SPECIFICATIONS
source: Department of National
Defence/Canadian Forces
|
|
Length
|
46.66 m
|
|
Wingspan
|
43.9 m
|
|
Height
|
15.8 m
|
|
Weight
|
157,000 kg
(full load & fuel)
|
|
Power
|
Two GE
CF6-80C2A2 jet engines
|
|
Speed
|
Mach .84
(max)
|
|
Ceiling
|
12,500 m
|
|
Range
|
11,500 km
|
|
Load
|
up to
32,000 kg
|
|
Year(s) Procured
|
1992 to
1993
|
|
Quantity in the Canadian Forces
|
5
|
|
Location(s):
|
8 Wing
Trenton
|
