Airbus A310 - Variants

Variants

The A310 is available in two basic versions, the medium range −200 and the longer range −300. The first version of the aircraft to be developed was the −200 but this was later joined by the −300 which then became the standard production version of the aircraft.

A310-200

The first A310, the 162nd Airbus off the production line, made its maiden flight on 3 April 1982 powered by the earlier Pratt & Whitney JT9D-7R4D1 engines. The −200 entered service with Swissair and Lufthansa a year later. Also the late series −200 also featured wingfences identical to those of the −300.

A310-200C

A convertible version, the seats can be removed and cargo placed on the main deck.

A310-200F / -300F

The freight version available as a new build or as a conversion of the existing wide-bodied aircraft. The A310-200F freighter can carry 39t of freight for 5,950 km. No production freighters of the A310 were produced. Operators such as FedEx Express acquired modified ex-airline A310s, usually starting with the −300 version. They are now the world's largest A310 operator, with 53 aircraft.

A310-300

First flown on 8 July 1985, the −300 is dimensionally identical to the −200, although it provides an increased MTOW and an increase in range, provided by additional centre and horizontal stabilizer (trim-tank) fuel tanks. This model also introduced wingtip fences to improve aerodynamic efficiency, a feature that has since been retrofitted to some −200s. The aircraft entered service in 1986 with Swissair. The aircraft incorporates a computerised fuel distribution system which allows it to be trimmed in flight resulting in less drag and therefore reduced fuel burn.

A310-300C

A convertible passenger/cargo version, the seats can be removed and cargo placed on the main deck.

A310 MRT/MRTT

The A310 has been operated by many of the world's airforces as a pure transport (A310-300 MRT), however several have now been converted to the "Multi Role Tanker Transport" configuration by EADS, providing an aerial refueling capability. At least six have been ordered; four by the German Air Force and two by the Canadian Forces. Deliveries began in 2004. Three were converted at EADS EFW in Dresden, Germany; the other three at Lufthansa Technik in Hamburg, Germany. The Chilean Air Force has purchased two second-hand A310s to replace its aging 707–320 'Aguila' tanker and transports. The first was received in October 2007.