The USAF’s KC-X Aerial Tanker RFP
Related Stories: Americas - USA, Boeing, EADS, Issues - Political, Lobbying, Northrop-Grumman, Power Projection, RFPs, Rumours, Specialty Aircraft, Spotlight articles, Transport & Utility
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Boeing pares down its v2.0 KC-767 offering, as Round 1’s winner walks away. (March 8/10)
DID’s FOCUS articles cover major weapons acquisition programs – and no program is more important to the USAF than its current bid to replace its aerial tanker fleet. In January 2007, the big question was whether there would be a competition for the USA’s KC-X proposal, which will cover 175 production aircraft and 4 test platforms. The cost for this first phase alone is likely to reach $35+ billion spread over about 20 years, but America’s 40-50 year old aerial tanker fleet demands new planes. Otherwise, unpredictable age or fatigue issues, like the ones its F-15A-D fleet experienced in 2008, could ground its aerial tankers – and with them, a substantial slice of the USA’s total airpower. KC-Y and KC-Z contracts may follow in subsequent decades, in order to replace all 530 KC-135s/ Boeing 707s (195 active; ANG 251; Reserve 84) that were delivered until 1965, as well as the USAF’s 59 larger KC-10 tankers delivered from 1979-1987.
In the end, it was Team Boeing’s KC-767 Advanced (767-200 derivative) vs. the Team Northrop Grumman KC-30B (Airbus A330-200 derivative), both within the Pentagon and in the halls of Congress. Most observers correctly pointed out that all this lobbying was important, since the financial stakes guaranteed a huge political fight no matter which side won. A fight that ended up sinking, and restarting, the entire program. Recent additions revolve around the KC-X v2.0 draft RFP. The canceled competition is on again, with a decision expected by mid-2010. Except that it won’t be a competition…
- KC-X: The Story So Far
- KC-X RFP v2.0: The New Structure
- The Contenders and The Cargo Factor: KC-30B, KC-767… KC-777?
- KC-X: Teams & Locations
- KC-X RFP: Key Developments [updated]
- Additional Readings
Stay on top of developments with the heated, ongoing competition for the $35+ billion KC-X aerial tanker contract, when you subscribe to Defense Industry Insider. Our cross-linked article network and reference materials include:
- Coverage of political interest in the procurement, including discussion of a possible split-buy, the February 2008 award to Northrop Grumman and EADS Airbus, the Boeing protest, and the June 2008 reopened bid
- Timeline of events, teambuilding and capability tests by Boeing and Northrop Grumman / EADS since 2007
- Discussion of key parameters of the January 2007 air tanker RFP including: air refueling capability, fuel offload and range, (CNS/ATM) equipment, airlift capability , ability on refuel while airborne, multiple refueling systems, survivability and protection measure, and more
- Essential articles from DII including: "Boeing on KC-X: 'Methinks We Doth Protest to You,'" "KC-X: Rating the Contenders," "US Debating Aerial Tanker Types, Mix," and "The UK's FSTA: An Aerial Tanker Program - With a Difference"
- 13 photos and graphics
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