Singapore has achieved a “world-first” milestone with full certification of the Automatic Air-to-Air Refueling (A3R) capability on its Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT).
Granted by the Spanish National Institute for Aerospace Technology, the certification confirms the A3R system’s maturity, safety, and reliability across various conditions — allowing Singapore’s A330s to perform automatic air-to-air refuelling both day and night.
It follows an extensive flight test and qualification campaign conducted in collaboration with Airbus, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), and the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA).
This makes the RSAF the first in the world to operate a fleet with a fully certified automated refueling capability, an attainment that “showcases effective technology integration and sets a new benchmark on automatic aerial refuelling globally,” said Ng Chad-son, Chief Executive of the DSTA.
A330’s Path to Automation
Launched in 2020 under Airbus’ SMART MRTT vision, the A3R system uses automation and computer vision to reduce operator workload while automatically detecting, tracking, and refueling receiver aircraft.
The program involved day and night missions, multiple receiver aircraft types, and expanded flight envelopes, with flight trials performed in Spain and Singapore, to ensure operational readiness.
In 2022, the A330 MRTT became the first international tanker certified for daylight automatic refueling, and a 2023 campaign successfully demonstrated night-time operations and hundreds of automated contacts with F-15SG and F-16 aircraft.
Previous trials also validated integration with Portuguese F-16s, highlighting interoperability with multiple allied platforms.
Meanwhile, Canada — which ordered nine A330 MRTTs in 2023 — has expressed interest in the A3R program, according to María Ángeles Martí, Head of Tanker and Derivatives at Airbus Defence and Space.
