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A330 MRTT Refueler
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DID has reported on EADS determination to crack the US market before, including its recent setup of an Airbus center of excellence in Mobile, AL, its bid for the $2+ billion US Army Light Utility Helicopter competition, and its interest in offering the USA an Airbus A330 MRTT air-air refueling system in the wake of the Boeing KC-767’s contract cancellation and procurement scandal. As DID has reported, Britain recently opted for the A330 as its future tanker aircraft via an innovative public-private partnership deal. Australia will also fly the A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) as its primary air-air tanker.

EADS’ earlier discussions with U.S. manufacturer Northrop Grumman had broken down amidst an atmosphere of strained US-European ties, protectionism on both sides, and anti-Airbus sentiment in Congress. They’ve finally borne fruit, however, as both Northrop Grumman and EADS have announced their joint collaboration on the KC-30, an Airbus 330 MRTT derivative that will have over 50% American manufactured content. There is as yet no word on whether a C-17 based tanker might also be part of the upcoming competition.