Jan 22, 2021 04:58 UTC by Defense Industry Daily staff
Latest update [?]
KC-46A concept
January 22/21: G081 Boeing won a $2 billion contract modification for Lot 7 production KC-46 aircraft, subscriptions and licenses and G081 flat file. The modification provides for the exercise of an option for an additional quantity of 15 KC-46 aircraft, data, subscriptions and licenses, and G081 flat file being produced under the basic contract. The company delivered the first KC-46A to the Air Force in January 2019. Since then, Boeing has delivered 42 tankers to four different bases. The next-generation KC-46 brings new capabilities and operational flexibility to the US Air Force and international customers. Boeing says the KC-46 is a multirole tanker designed to refuel allied and coalition military aircraft compatible with international aerial refueling procedures. It’s also equipped to carry passengers, cargo and patients on any mission at any time. Work will take place in Seattle, Washington and is expected to be finished by May 31, 2024.
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KC-135: Old as the hills…
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DID’s FOCUS articles cover major weapons acquisition programs – and no program is more important to the USAF than its aerial tanker fleet renewal. In January 2007, the big question was whether there would be a competition for the USA’s KC-X proposal, covering 175 production aircraft and 4 test platforms. The total cost is now estimated at $52 billion, but America’s aerial tanker fleet demands new planes to replace its KC-135s, whose most recent new delivery was in 1965. Otherwise, unpredictable age or fatigue issues, like the ones that grounded its F-15A-D fighters in 2008, could ground its aerial tankers – and with them, a substantial slice of the USA’s total airpower.
KC-Y and KC-Z buys are supposed to follow in subsequent decades, in order to replace 530 (195 active; ANG 251; Reserve 84) active tankers, as well as the USAF’s 59 heavy KC-10 tankers that were delivered from 1979-1987. Then again, fiscal and demographic realities may mean that the 179 plane KC-X buy is “it” for the USAF. Either way, the KC-X stakes were huge for all concerned.
In the end, it was Team Boeing’s KC-767 NexGen/ KC-46A (767 derivative) vs. EADS North America’s KC-45A (Airbus KC-30/A330-200 derivative), both within the Pentagon and in the halls of Congress. The financial and employment stakes guaranteed a huge political fight no matter which side won. After Airbus won in 2008, that fight ended up sinking and restarting the entire program. Three years later, Boeing won the recompete. Now, they have to deliver their KC-46A.
Displaying 410 of 33,200 words (about 83 pages)
Boeing’s KC-46A, and Its Team
KC-46A Industrial Team
KC-X: The Program
The KC-46A Development Phase: Budgets, Splits, &
Dates
The KC-46A Production Phase: Risks & Numbers
KC-46A Export Prospects
KC-X: Contracts & Key Developments
FY 2016 – 2021
FY 2015
FY 2014
FY 2013
FY 2012
FY 2011
FY 2010
FY 2009
FY 2008
KC-46A concept
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Boeing’s KC-X 1.0 Team
Concurrence concerns
KC-10 & F/A-18C
Boom assembly
March 14/19: Air Force resumes Deilvery The
US Air Force
received a KC-46 Pegasus on March 11 after the aircraft
passed a Foreign Object Debris inspection at Boeing’s
production facility. The Pegasus is a military aerial
refueling aircraft developed by Boeing. The Air Force
selected the Pegasus to replace the KC-135 Stratotankers. The
first
Pegasus was scheduled to be delivered in August 2017 but
was delayed until January 2019. Deliveries of the jets were
halted last month after foreign object debris was found in
one of the aircraft. Boeing had offered to inspect all the
aircraft that were accepted by the Air Force. Loose tools and
other items were found inside a completed airplane.
Subsequent deliveries will occur as Boeing successfully
completes each aircraft’s inspections and actions assigned
from the review. Boeing plans to deliver 36 of the aircraft
this year and about a dozen more are nearing
completion.
KC-46A and B-2
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‘Paper airplane’ risks?
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KC-X options
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KC-46A concept
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KC-30 & F-16s
(click to view full)
AN-70
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KC-46A & B-1B
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KC-X past & candidates:
Boeing Slide
(click to view full)
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