EADS/Northrop Grumman KC-45: Difference between revisions
→KC-X program: Fix broken <ref> |
Clean up broken <ref> |
||
| Line 26: | Line 26: | ||
==Development== |
==Development== |
||
===Background=== |
===Background=== |
||
{{main|KC-X#Background}} |
|||
In the late 1990s - early 2000s, the USAF decided to replace its fleet of KC-135s. Initially the first batch of replacements was to be an air tanker version of the [[Boeing 767|Boeing 767-200]], which was selected over the Airbus 330-based tanker.<ref name="CDARA">[http://www.military-aerospace-technology.com/article.cfm?DocID=335 "Boeing Given Nod on Tanker Lease"]. Military-Aerospace Technology Magazine; volume: 1, issue: 2, 2002-05-01.</ref> Instead of outright purchase, as is the usual practice, the Air Force would lease the 767 tankers from [[Boeing]]. In January 2006, then-[[United States Secretary of Defense|Secretary of Defense]] [[Donald Rumsfeld]] announced the cancellation of the [[Boeing KC-767|KC-767]] contract. This followed public revelations of corruption in how the contract was awarded, as well as controversy regarding the original leasing rather than outright purchase agreement. Former USAF Procurement Officer [[Darleen Druyun]] and Boeing CFO [[Michael M. Sears]] were later found guilty in the corruption scheme. Rumsfeld stated that this move would in no way impair the Air Force's ability to deliver the mission of the KC-767, which was to be accomplished by continuing upgrades to the KC-135 Stratotanker and [[KC-10 Extender]] fleets.<ref name=autogenerated1>[http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/n09403755-usa-airforce-tanker-competition/ U.S. plans expedited rerun of aerial tanker contest]</ref> |
In the late 1990s - early 2000s, the USAF decided to replace its fleet of KC-135s. Initially the first batch of replacements was to be an air tanker version of the [[Boeing 767|Boeing 767-200]], which was selected over the Airbus 330-based tanker.<ref name="CDARA">[http://www.military-aerospace-technology.com/article.cfm?DocID=335 "Boeing Given Nod on Tanker Lease"]. Military-Aerospace Technology Magazine; volume: 1, issue: 2, 2002-05-01.</ref> Instead of outright purchase, as is the usual practice, the Air Force would lease the 767 tankers from [[Boeing]]. In January 2006, then-[[United States Secretary of Defense|Secretary of Defense]] [[Donald Rumsfeld]] announced the cancellation of the [[Boeing KC-767|KC-767]] contract. This followed public revelations of corruption in how the contract was awarded, as well as controversy regarding the original leasing rather than outright purchase agreement. Former USAF Procurement Officer [[Darleen Druyun]] and Boeing CFO [[Michael M. Sears]] were later found guilty in the corruption scheme. Rumsfeld stated that this move would in no way impair the Air Force's ability to deliver the mission of the KC-767, which was to be accomplished by continuing upgrades to the KC-135 Stratotanker and [[KC-10 Extender]] fleets.<ref name=autogenerated1>[http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/n09403755-usa-airforce-tanker-competition/ U.S. plans expedited rerun of aerial tanker contest]</ref> |
||
===KC-X program=== |
===KC-X program=== |
||
{{main|KC-X}} |
|||
In 2006, the USAF released a [[request for proposal]] (RFP) for a new tanker aircraft, known as the [[KC-X]] RFP, which was updated in January 2007 and was to be selected by 2007.<ref name="usaf1">{{cite news |url=http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123039273 |title=Air Force Posts KC-X Request for Proposals |work=Release Number: 070107 |publisher=United States Air Force |date=2007-01-30}}</ref> KC-X is the first phase of three acquisition programs to replace the KC-135 fleet.<ref>[http://www.defenselink.mil/Releases/Release.aspx?ReleaseID=10463 "Air Force Posts Request for Proposals for Tankers"], US DoD, January 30, 2007.</ref> |
In 2006, the USAF released a [[request for proposal]] (RFP) for a new tanker aircraft, known as the [[KC-X]] RFP, which was updated in January 2007 and was to be selected by 2007.<ref name="usaf1">{{cite news |url=http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123039273 |title=Air Force Posts KC-X Request for Proposals |work=Release Number: 070107 |publisher=United States Air Force |date=2007-01-30}}</ref> KC-X is the first phase of three acquisition programs to replace the KC-135 fleet.<ref>[http://www.defenselink.mil/Releases/Release.aspx?ReleaseID=10463 "Air Force Posts Request for Proposals for Tankers"], US DoD, January 30, 2007.</ref> |
||
| Line 39: | Line 37: | ||
On 18 June 2008, the [[Government Accountability Office]] upheld a protest by Boeing on the decision to award the contract to Northrop Grumman, indicating that USAF had not properly evaluated the Boeing and Northrop Grumman bids.<ref>[http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/GAOBoeing20080718.pdf "Statement Regarding the Bid Protest Decision Resolving the Aerial Refueling Tanker Protest"], Boeing, June 18, 2008]</ref> |
On 18 June 2008, the [[Government Accountability Office]] upheld a protest by Boeing on the decision to award the contract to Northrop Grumman, indicating that USAF had not properly evaluated the Boeing and Northrop Grumman bids.<ref>[http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/GAOBoeing20080718.pdf "Statement Regarding the Bid Protest Decision Resolving the Aerial Refueling Tanker Protest"], Boeing, June 18, 2008]</ref> |
||
On 9 July 2008 Secretary of Defense Robert Gates announced the contract for the KC-45 as an "expedited recompetition".<ref name=autogenerated1/> Defense Undersecretary [[John Young]] was placed in charge of the review process, the Air Force having been removed from the award process. On 10 September 2008, the US Defense Department canceled the [[KC-X]] solicitation. Funding for KC-X is to be requested for FY10-FY15.<ref name="KC- |
On 9 July 2008 Secretary of Defense Robert Gates announced the contract for the KC-45 as an "expedited recompetition".<ref name=autogenerated1/> Defense Undersecretary [[John Young]] was placed in charge of the review process, the Air Force having been removed from the award process. On 10 September 2008, the US Defense Department canceled the [[KC-X]] solicitation. Funding for KC-X is to be requested for FY10-FY15.<ref name="KC-X_term">[http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=12195 "DoD Announces Termination of KC-X Tanker Solicitation"]. US DoD, 10 September 2008.</ref> In September 2009, the USAF began the first steps toward accepting new bids.<ref name=wsj>[http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125383323357539115.html Air Force Resumes Tanker Contest]</ref> In March 2010, Northrop Grumman announced that it would pull out of the bidding process, effectively conceding the contract to Boeing.<ref>[http://www.irconnect.com/noc/press/pages/news_printer.html?d=186116&print=1 "Statement From Northrop Grumman on U.S. Air Force Aerial Refueling Tanker Program"]. Northrop Grumman press release, 8 March 2010.</ref> |
||
===Production plans=== |
===Production plans=== |
||
Revision as of 13:31, 9 March 2010
| KC-45 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Rendering of KC-45 refueling a B-2 | |
| Role | Tanker/transport |
| Manufacturer | Northrop Grumman/EADS (Airbus) |
| Status | Canceled |
| Primary user | United States Air Force |
| Developed from | Airbus A330 MRTT |
The Northrop Grumman/EADS KC-45 was a proposed aerial refueling tanker aircraft based on the Airbus A330 MRTT (KC-30), a derivative of the civil A330-200. The United States Air Force had ordered 179 KC-45As in the first stage of replacing the aging KC-135 tankers currently in service. However, the contest was reopened in July 2008, after Boeing's protest of the award was upheld. On March 8, 2010, Northrop Grumman announced it was abandoning its bid for the new contract, with its CEO stating that the revised bid requirement favored Boeing. [1]
Development
Background
In the late 1990s - early 2000s, the USAF decided to replace its fleet of KC-135s. Initially the first batch of replacements was to be an air tanker version of the Boeing 767-200, which was selected over the Airbus 330-based tanker.[2] Instead of outright purchase, as is the usual practice, the Air Force would lease the 767 tankers from Boeing. In January 2006, then-Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld announced the cancellation of the KC-767 contract. This followed public revelations of corruption in how the contract was awarded, as well as controversy regarding the original leasing rather than outright purchase agreement. Former USAF Procurement Officer Darleen Druyun and Boeing CFO Michael M. Sears were later found guilty in the corruption scheme. Rumsfeld stated that this move would in no way impair the Air Force's ability to deliver the mission of the KC-767, which was to be accomplished by continuing upgrades to the KC-135 Stratotanker and KC-10 Extender fleets.[3]
KC-X program
In 2006, the USAF released a request for proposal (RFP) for a new tanker aircraft, known as the KC-X RFP, which was updated in January 2007 and was to be selected by 2007.[4] KC-X is the first phase of three acquisition programs to replace the KC-135 fleet.[5]
On 29 February 2008, the Department of Defense announced that it had selected the Northrop Grumman "KC-30" (designated the KC-45A by the USAF) over the Boeing KC-767 for the first stage of the program.[6] On 11 March 2008, Boeing filed a protest with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) for the award of the contract to Northrop Grumman;[7] Following the protest filing, Northrop Grumman and Boeing engaged in media campaigns in support of their tanker aircraft.
On 18 June 2008, the Government Accountability Office upheld a protest by Boeing on the decision to award the contract to Northrop Grumman, indicating that USAF had not properly evaluated the Boeing and Northrop Grumman bids.[8]
On 9 July 2008 Secretary of Defense Robert Gates announced the contract for the KC-45 as an "expedited recompetition".[3] Defense Undersecretary John Young was placed in charge of the review process, the Air Force having been removed from the award process. On 10 September 2008, the US Defense Department canceled the KC-X solicitation. Funding for KC-X is to be requested for FY10-FY15.[9] In September 2009, the USAF began the first steps toward accepting new bids.[10] In March 2010, Northrop Grumman announced that it would pull out of the bidding process, effectively conceding the contract to Boeing.[11]
Production plans
The first four units would have been converted from passenger versions at EADS EFW in Dresden, Germany. Airbus planned to assemble the aircraft in Mobile, Alabama, after which they would have been modified by Northrop Grumman. EADS had also announced plans to shift A330 commercial freighter assembly to Alabama.[12] As the winner of the Air Force contract, Northrop Grumman and EADS (the airframe subcontractor) were expected to invest approximately US$600 million in new assembly plants in the United States adjacent to one another in the Brookley Complex in Mobile.
Design
The A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) is a military derivative of the Airbus A330 airliner. It is designed as a dual-role air refueling tanker and cargo transport aircraft. The wing air refueling pods are supplied by the British company Cobham. The cargo hold has been modified by Telair to be able to transport military pallets in addition to civilian ULD.
The A330 MRRT has a fuel capacity of 245,000 lb (111,000 kg) in the wings and underfloor tanks. The underfloor tanks do not compromise main deck cargo capacity or seating in the strategic transport role. Standard fuel capacity allows the carriage of an additional 43,000 kg of cargo. The A330 MRTT's wing has common structure as the four-engine A340-200/-300 with reinforced mounting locations for the A340's outboard engines. The A330 MRTT's wing therefore requires little modification for use of these hardpoints for the wing refueling pods.[13]
The KC-45 will be fitted with an Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS), two Cobham 905E under-wing refuelling pods and one Cobham 805E Fuselage Refuelling Unit (FRU).
Specifications
Note: specifications denoted with a "*" are for the A330.
Data from Northrop Grumman KC-30[14] Airbus A330[15]
General characteristics
- Crew: 3: Pilot, Copilot, and 1 AAR boom operator
- Capacity: 226-280 passengers[16][17]
- Length: 58.78 m (192 ft 11 in)
- Wingspan: 60.28 m (197 ft 10 in)
- Height: 17.40 m (57 ft 1 in)
- Wing area: 361.6 m²* (3892 ft²*)
- Empty weight: 120,500 kg* (265,657 lb*)
- Max takeoff weight: 230,000 kg* (507,063 lb*)
- Powerplant: 2× General Electric CF6-80E1A4B turbofans*, 316 kN (72,000 lbf) 316 kN each
- *Maximum Fuel Capability: 245,000 lb (111.231 kg)
- Fuel available to offload at 1000 nmi 153,000 ?
- Pallets 32[17]
Performance
- Maximum speed: 880 km/h* (475 knots, 547 mph*)
- Cruise speed: 860 km/h* (464 knots, 534 mph*)
- Range: 12,500 km* (6,750 nm, 7,770 mi*)
- Service ceiling: 12,500 m* (41,000 ft*)
See also
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
References
- ^ "Northrop drops out of bid to make Air Force aerial tankers", MarketWatch, March 8, 2010.
- ^ "Boeing Given Nod on Tanker Lease". Military-Aerospace Technology Magazine; volume: 1, issue: 2, 2002-05-01.
- ^ a b U.S. plans expedited rerun of aerial tanker contest
- ^ "Air Force Posts KC-X Request for Proposals". Release Number: 070107. United States Air Force. 2007-01-30.
- ^ "Air Force Posts Request for Proposals for Tankers", US DoD, January 30, 2007.
- ^ "Tanker contract award announced". US Air Force, February 29, 2008.
- ^ "Boeing Protests U.S. Air Force Tanker Contract Award", Boeing, March 11, 2008.
- ^ "Statement Regarding the Bid Protest Decision Resolving the Aerial Refueling Tanker Protest", Boeing, June 18, 2008]
- ^ "DoD Announces Termination of KC-X Tanker Solicitation". US DoD, 10 September 2008.
- ^ Air Force Resumes Tanker Contest
- ^ "Statement From Northrop Grumman on U.S. Air Force Aerial Refueling Tanker Program". Northrop Grumman press release, 8 March 2010.
- ^ http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/01/14/220816/kc-x-win-would-shift-a330-freighter-assembly-to-us.html
- ^ A330-200 Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) - Multi-Role Tanker Transporter (MRTT), Europe. Airforce-technology.com.
- ^ KC-30 Specifications, NorthropGrumman.com.
- ^ A330-200 specifications, Airbus.
- ^ Northrop Grumman Integrated Systems - KC-45 Tanker
- ^ a b Northrop Grumman KC-30 flyer
External links
- Northrop Grumman KC-45 Tanker web page and Tanker product page
- Rivals eye Boeing's US airforce deal, by Jorn Madslien, BBC News
- Keep Our Tanker, a site operated by the Mobile County, Alabama Commission supporting KC-45 and planned final assembly in Mobile