Boom Bust

An aerial refueling tanker -- a modified Airbus 330 similar in design to the aircraft European defense giant EADS wants to sell the U.S. Air Force -- suffered damage when its refueling boom broke off over European skies and fell into the sea while attempting to provide gas to a Portuguese F-16, according to a statement by the Australian defense ministry:

The aircraft was being operated by Airbus Military Corporation. No Australian personnel were on board the MRTT at the time of the incident.

The incident resulted in the detachment and partial loss of the refueling boom from the MRTT, which fell into the sea.

Both aircraft suffered some damage but returned safely to their home airfields.

Project AIR 5402 will supply five MRTT aircraft to the Australian Defence Force. Design, development and testing of the prototype aircraft is being undertaken by Airbus Military at its facilities in Madrid, Spain.

Airbus Military and the relevant European military airworthiness authorities will have the lead responsibility for investigating the incident.

Australian Defence experts will participate in the investigation process.

Guy Hicks, spokesman for EADS North America, said he had no further information on the incident.

As soon as February, the Air Force plans to select a winner in the $35 billion competition between EADS and Boeing to build 179 tankers.