Handover of 8 PTU NG for Airbus A330 MRTT for the MMU of NSPA

By Editor 20-Nov-2020

News

Lufthansa Technik AG has recently handed over eight Patient Transport Units (PTU NG) for intensive care patients and 16 oxygen supply systems for medium to lightly injured patients to Airbus Defence and Space. The new PTUs are destined for the multinational Airbus A330 MRTT operated by the MMU (Multinational Multi Role Tanker Transport Unit) of the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), which will also collaborate with the European Air Transport Command (EATC), and enable the transport of up to eight intensive care patients and 16 lying patients with oxygen supply systems. This makes medical evacuation missions (MedEvac) with the aircraft of the MMU fleet possible.

Shortly after the handover, training for doctors and medical staff will begin at the new units, which are to be completed by the end of November. The first installation of an A330 MRTT of the MMU is scheduled for December. This will create one of the largest and most powerful MedEvac aircraft. The national Airbus A310 MRTT fleet of the German Air Force has already been equipped with the PTU's predecessor model for almost 20 years and is now being gradually replaced.

The Patient Transport Unit Next Generation complies with NATO standards and is also approved as a civillian medical device. With the units now delivered, the model is in use on four different military and civil aircraft types.  Using seat track adapters, a PTU NG can be installed in almost any aircraft within minutes, allowing the same unit to be used in a fleet of different aircraft types. A unit consists of several modules that can be assembled very quickly without tools and, due to their size and weight, can be easily
handled by two persons.

The core of the PTU NG is a new oxygen system, which is suitable for the latest ventilators. These require oxygen up to three times the amount of conventional devices. Technically, the latest aviation safety requirements have been applied. The PTU NG is developed and manufactured by Lufthansa Technik in cooperation with specialists of Aerolite.

The Airbus A330 MRTT combines the advanced technology of a new generation tanker with the operational experience recorded during more than 200,000 FH in service. The A330 MRTT is interoperable with receivers worldwide and delivers true multi-role capabilities as proven during the recent MedEvac and strategic transport missions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.