Aircraft Modification – A310 Military Conversions by Kai Jankowiak
Like any aircraft has been exceeded, military conversions can prolong its life.
A number of Air Force purchased the Airbus A310 as VIP aircraft and troops and / or freight. The only one I buy a brand new aircraft was the Royal Thai Air Force, which took delivery of an A310-300 VIP-configured for use by the Royal Flight November 5, 1991. The Spanish Armed Forces increased its strategic airlift capability with five ex-Wardair/Canadian International Airlines A310 in 1992/93. Redesignated CC-150 Polaris, the five aircraft were delivered in a configuration of 194 passenger seats, but four were subsequently converted Sogerma in Bordeaux to a passenger / cargo combination design. This requires some 100,000 hours of engineering and production, which included a new loading door on the main floor, and strengthening the fuselage floor, a cargo loading system, and a removable closure smokescreen to charge separately troops. The fifth aircraft remains in a VIP presentation. All are operated by 437 Squadron at 8 Wing, Trenton, Ontario, and are used to replenish the Canadian Forces personnel worldwide.
German Luftwaffe CF6-80C2A2 seven A310-300 power and is trying to acquire two more, to reinforce its long haul fleet in the face of increasing demand for logistics. The creation of a rapid reaction force, an increase in humanitarian operations, and the new unit tactical training in Mexico, are all that additional demands on its resources. Two A310 replacing two Boeing 707 in late 1999, and two of the existing A310 were modified to transport oil in 2003. The Luftwaffe gained its first three aircraft in May 1991 when the former East Germany Interflug company ceased operations and has also expanded its fleet between November 1996 and November 1998 with four machines ex-Lufthansa. Five are operated in VIP configuration, and two as passenger and cargo aircraft combined.
Two A310-300 will fly through the Transport Squadron 3 / 60 of the French Air Force (Armée de 1'Air) Paris Charles de Gaulle. Both have 180 minutes ETOPS (Extended Range Twin Operations) and are mainly used as VIP transport. The A310 was purchased at Royal Jordanian in November 1993. The Belgian Air Force scored two second A310-200 from Singapore Airlines in September 1997 and April 1998, also for use as VIP transport. Pratt & Whitney powered aircraft are operated by the Squadron 21 in military transport functions and government and international relief flights.
Multi-function aircraft conversions.
With the order book for the fall and finish off A310, Airbus Industrie is the hope more determined that an assault in the military market will provide a lifeline for the A310. Recognizing that defense spending has reduced demand for future multi-role aircraft that are capable of conducting both air to air refueling (AAR) and transport operations, Airbus is offering the A310 configuration MRTT (Multi-Role Tanker Transport). With the KC-135, in particular, reaching the end of its life, the demand for tanker replacement, no doubt, accelerate, and derivatives
current wide-body aircraft will offer a more cost effective than building a dedicated aircraft from the beginning. Besides offering greater refueling capabilities than previous aircraft, the A310 also have an advantage in operating costs and longer life of the fuselage. At a price tag in the region of U.S. $ 30 million to a modified machine second hand, as an aircraft must be attractive to potential customers. Australia, Canada and Germany believe that everyone in the market for this type of aircraft. Studies have indicated a potential market of 100 military tanker / transport aircraft for the year 2010, of which half are expected to be MRTT. One demonstrator was produced by the conversion of a former airline A310-300 (N816PA), which conducted tests of compatibility with the Royal Air Force planes in 1995. No order had been placed by September 1999.
The A310 MRTT can be converted from existing models can be new build aircraft.
