The Royal Canadian Air Force’s “Husky 006” — its first of four new incoming A330 multi-role tanker transport aircraft (MRTT) — has completed its maiden flight at Airbus’ Getafe facility in Spain.
It is set to undergo additional conversion work and be equipped with both hose-and-drogue and boom air-to-air refuelling capabilities, as well as cybersecurity solutions.
Delivery is slated for 2027.
CC-330 Husky
The Husky 006 is part of the nine-unit “CC-330 Husky” program supporting Canada’s tanker fleet modernization effort, aiming to achieve initial operational capability by 2029 and full operational capability from 2032 to 2033.
Ottawa awarded Airbus a 3.6-billion Canadian dollar ($2.7 billion) contract in July 2023 to acquire four new A330 MRTT aircraft and five used A330-200s to replace its aging CC-150 Polaris fleet.
In March 2026, the North American country awarded contracts totaling approximately $1 billion to L3Harris and Airbus to support the operability of the incoming CC-330 fleet.
Three of the used aircraft have already been delivered to Canada. While currently configured to support airlift operations, the fleet is scheduled to be converted for tanker and transport duties “in the coming years,” according to CTV News, citing National Defence spokesperson Andree-Anne Poulin.
For the remaining used aircraft, one will operate as a refueling platform while the other will be converted to transport government officials and foreign dignitaries.
Aircraft Specifications
The multi-purpose CC-330 measures approximately 58 meters (190 feet) long with a wingspan of 60 meters (197 feet).
Standing at around 17 meters (56 feet) tall and featuring a maximum gross weight of 238,000 kilograms (524,700 pounds), the aircraft can fly at a top speed of Mach 0.86 (1,062 kilometers/660 miles per hour) and can reach ranges of 13,900 kilometers (8,637 miles).
