The first Royal Australian Air Force KC-30A Multi-Role Transport Tanker to receive a significant communications and cyber upgrade returned home from Spain in November. Its secure high frequency and very high frequency radios, encryption device, and tactical data link were enhanced under the Crypto Remediation Project (CRP). These improvements aim to provide safer and more efficient communication, and improve command, control and situational awareness. Additionally, upgrades will increase KC-30A data throughput by 300 per cent. The two-year process was led by the Heavy Airlift Systems Program Office (HALSPO).
“The modernisation and system upgrades will ensure the RAAF KC-30A fleet can better integrate with other Defence aircraft and those of our coalition partner forces,” Officer Commanding 86 Wing Group Captain Brent Taylor said.
“Success required effective collaboration between HALSPO, other Air Force agencies, Airbus Defence and Space, Northrop Grumman Australia, CAE and others. CRP has delivered on the Defence Strategic Review’s directive of ‘speed to capability,” Noorin Popat, director of the HALSPO Project Management Unit said.
“CRP has leveraged HALSPO’s long-standing industry partnerships and ensures the capability is relevant, reliable and state-of-the-art to stand the test of time. I’m proud of the feat of acquisition CRP has accomplished,” Officer Commanding HALSPO Group Captain Russell Barton said. He said the biggest challenge the project overcame was integrating and adapting US technology to a European platform. The remainder of the RAAF KC-30A fleet is scheduled to receive the upgrades by 2025, with the modifications being undertaken by Northrop Grumman Australia in Brisbane.
The Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) is a European aerial refuelling and military transport aircraft based on the civilian Airbus A330. Designated as KC-30A, the RAAF A330 MRTTs are equipped with both an Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS) and two Cobham 905E under-wing refuelling pods. They are powered by two General Electric CF6-80E1A3 engines and are configured to carry up to 270 passengers plus 34,000 kilograms of cargo. Australia initially arranged to procure four MRTTs with an option to obtain a fifth; this option for a fifth was exercised to allow for two simultaneous deployments of two aircraft, the fifth being for contingency coverage. Australian KC-30As are operated by No. 33 Squadron RAAF, based at RAAF Base Amberley near Brisbane in Queensland.
