The first Airbus Military A330 MRTT for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Force has successfully completed its maiden flight following conversion of the aircraft in Madrid.

The crew reported that the aircraft, its systems and 2 Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines performed entirely satisfactorily during the 2hr 55min flight on 9th April.

As it features some different avionics, and is the first “receiver” to be powered by the Rolls- Royce Trent engine, the UAE A330 MRTT now enters the certification and qualification phase for these new elements.

The first of 3 ordered by the UAE AF, it will transfer to Abu Dhabi around the end of the year for the final phase of flight-testing leading to delivery in the second quarter of 2012.

Prior to this flight, six A330 MRTTs had already flown. Those include three for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), two for the UK Royal Air Force, and one for the Royal Saudi Air Force. Two of the aircraft are already technically complete and ready for delivery to the RAAF, pending finalization of contractual discussion.