Airbus CC-330 Husky

The Airbus CC-330 Husky is an in-development Royal Canadian Air Force version of the Airbus A330 MRTT based on the civilian Airbus A330.^[1] Nine aircraft will replace the existing Airbus CC-150 Polaris fleet of five aircraft in the strategic transport and air refuelling roles.^[2]

Airbus CC-330 Husky
Image of the CC-330 Husky taken at Hannover airport.
Role	Strategic transport/VIP transport/tanker
Manufacturer	Airbus
Introduction	2023
Primary user	Royal Canadian Air Force
Developed from	Airbus A330 MRTT

Development

In June 2017, the Canadian Armed Forces and Government of Canada announced their plan to procure a CC-150 Polaris replacement.^[3]

In July 2022, the Government of Canada announced a deal to acquire two used Airbus A330-200s which would be modified to A330 MRTT configuration, with four more to be acquired later, for a total of six aircraft.^[4]

In July 2023, the order was increased to nine aircraft,^[5] eight of which will be MRTT and one for VIP transportation. Four aircraft will be purchased new from Airbus, with five aircraft purchased used from the commercial market. The aircraft will be located on two bases, one in eastern Canada and one in western Canada.^[6][7] Ottawa International Airport has been selected as the interim operating base for the first two aircraft.^[8]

The first of two, ex-Kuwait Airways aircraft, designated 330002 entered service in Nov 2023 as a VIP and strategic transport aircraft.^[6][9] The second, designated 330003, entered service in February 2024.^{[citation needed]}

The tankers will be equipped with both probe and drogue and flying boom refuelling equipment, permitting them to refuel any NATO or allied aircraft, which will also improve NORAD support.^[7][10]

See also

• Aviation portal

Related development

• Airbus A330
• Airbus A330 MRTT
• EADS/Northrop Grumman KC-45

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

• Boeing KC-46 Pegasus
• Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker
• Ilyushin Il-96-400TZ
• McDonnell Douglas KC-10 Extender

References

1. "Canada takes delivery of first CC-330 Husky aircraft". 6 September 2023.
2. Canadian Press (25 July 2023). "Ottawa buying nine Airbus planes to replace Polaris fleet, including PM's plane". CTV News. Archived from the original on 25 July 2023. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
3. Page 39; http://dgpaapp.forces.gc.ca/en/canada-defence-policy/docs/canada-defence-policy-report.pdf
4. Defence, National (13 July 2022). "Canada moves forward with the acquisition of aircraft for the Royal Canadian Air Force". www.canada.ca. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
5. "New aircraft expected to fix Canada's transport plane woes | National Post".
6. Defence, National (25 July 2023). "The Strategic Tanker Transport Capability Project and NORAD Modernization". www.canada.ca. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
7. "Nine Huskies to Replace Five Polarises". Canadian Aviator. 29 July 2023. Archived from the original on 29 July 2023. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
8. "Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces". 25 July 2023.
9. "Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces". 9 November 2023.
10. Niles, Russ (26 July 2023). "Canada Buys Nine A330 Tanker/Cargo Planes". AVweb. Archived from the original on 27 July 2023. Retrieved 27 July 2023.

External links

• Official website