They might be flying Jet A-1 fuel bowsers, but the recycled Qantas Airbus A-330s that double as fuel trucks and VIP transport have just become a little more luxe. It’s the aviation equivalent of the digirati swap of standard-issue modems and screens for something, well, contemporary.
One of the really, really annoying things as a prime minister is that your many good deeds on tour cannot be broadcast because of technical limitations.
Unlike Tony Abbot’s favoured Boeing 707 VIP ride (circa 1957, so guaranteed constant breakdowns) the current fleet of RAAF multi-role tankers double as flying servos and official air limos.
There’s actually no big deal here in terms of fit-out and cryptography; A330s are a proven and sustainable modular platform that includes a VIP fleet.
They’re also the political compromise between buying a dedicated ‘big bird’ and out-blinging the neighbours.
But the A330’s are far from new.
The United States Air Force typically repurposes popular local airframes into tankers and transports. So like the venerable C-130 Hercules (65 years), B-52 Stratofortress (70 years) or similarly aged Chinook.
But the upgrades are happening.
“The first 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),” Defence said.
“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.”
Rewiring the KC-30s is no mean feat.
This said, the rigs are clearly being kitted out to make them interoperable, not a bad thing.
“The first 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),” Defence said.
“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.”
That explains the need for the Albo upgrade.
READ MORE:
RAAF tech honoured for in-flight Wi-Fi and phone fix for Albo-1
