Am I right that the current A330 MRTT is based on the passenger version of the A330 and not the freighter version as that hasn't been built yet?



So, if the KC-45 will be built on the freighter airframe then is it safe to assume that it will have that ugly nose-gear blister as well? As can be seen here.

That blister makes the nose look kinda like an E-3B's. Would that similarity make the Airbus choice easier for Boeing fans to swallow? :P

Had looks been a consideration in the tanker choice, the A330 would have won even more handily IMHO.

-M.M.

The MRTT is based on the passenger version for those without any cargo doors. The first aircraft KC-30 MSN747 has no cargo door ! the next MSN871 will be the real KC-45 with a big cargo door and will benefit this nose-gear blister. While being loaded the aircraft will pitch down so to maintain a floor level horizontaly they need to level up the nose landing gear. The landing gear also need to be reinforced. This is why you see this uggly landing gear blister. So all MRTT or Freighter will have this is they receive a Cargo Door ! But basicaly the MRTT will not be full freighter aircraft even with a cargo door they will be able to carry load but not as strengh as on the Freighter one ... so at the end of developpement there will be 330PAX, 330MRTT, 330Freighter, 3 differents aircraft even if they look the same.