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In late January 2007 the USAF issued the KC-X Aerial Refueling Aircraft Request for Proposal. The RFP called for 179 (4 system development and demonstration and 175 production) tankers, in a contract worth an estimated US$40 billion.<ref>[http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123039273 Air Force Posts KC-X Request for Proposals]. USAF, 2007-01-30.</ref> However, Northrop and EADS expressed their displeasure at how the RFP was structured and threatened to withdraw, leaving only Boeing to offer an aircraft.<ref name="atnr1">Evens, Ben and Daly, Matthew (AP), "Northrop-EADS threatens to withdraw bid for US Air Force contract leaving only Boeing". ''Aerotech News and Review'', 2 February 2007.</ref>
In late January 2007 the USAF issued the KC-X Aerial Refueling Aircraft Request for Proposal. The RFP called for 179 (4 system development and demonstration and 175 production) tankers, in a contract worth an estimated US$40 billion.<ref>[http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123039273 Air Force Posts KC-X Request for Proposals]. USAF, 2007-01-30.</ref> However, Northrop and EADS expressed their displeasure at how the RFP was structured and threatened to withdraw, leaving only Boeing to offer an aircraft.<ref name="atnr1">Evens, Ben and Daly, Matthew (AP), "Northrop-EADS threatens to withdraw bid for US Air Force contract leaving only Boeing". ''Aerotech News and Review'', 2 February 2007.</ref>


On 12 February 2007, Boeing announced it was offering the KC-767 Advanced Tanker for the KC-X Tanker competition.<ref name="ap_20070212">Borak, D. [http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2003568484_webtanker12.html "Boeing Unveils Air Force Tanker in $40 Billion Contract Competition"]. [[Associated Press]]. 12 February 2007.</ref> Boeing stated that for KC-X's requirements, the KC-767 was a better fit than the KC-777.<ref name="why 767">[http://www.airforce-magazine.com/Features/modernization/Pages/box021307boeing.aspx "Why the 767?"]. Air Force magazine, 13 February 2007.</ref> On 11 April 2007, Boeing submitted its KC-767 tanker proposal to U.S. Air Force.<ref>[http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2007/q2/070411b_nr.html "Boeing Submits KC-767 Advanced Tanker Proposal to U.S. Air Force"]. Boeing, 11 April 2007.</ref> The KC-767 Advanced Tanker offered for this KC-X round was based on the in-development 767-200LRF (Long Range Freighter), rather than the -200ER that Italian and Japanese KC-767 aircraft are based,<ref name="boeing5">[http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2007/q1/070212b_nr.html "Boeing Offers KC-767 Advanced Tanker to U.S. Air Force"]. Boeing, 12 February 2007.</ref> differing by combining the -200ER fuselage, -300F wing, gear, cargo door and floor, -400ER digital flightdeck and flaps, uprated engines, and "sixth-generation" fly-by-wire boom.<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/01/21/220925/size-matters-in-us-air-force-kc-x-contest.html "Size matters in US Air Force KC-X contest"]. Flight International, 21 January 2008.</ref> The KC-767 has [[aircraft flight control system#Hydro-mechanical|manual flight controls]] with an unrestricted [[flight envelope]].<ref>[http://www.finchannel.com/Main_News/Business/59816_Boeing_to_Offer_NewGen_Tanker_to_US_Air_Force_/ "Boeing to Offer NewGen Tanker to US Air Force"]. finchannel.com, 5 March 2010.</ref>
On 12 February 2007, Boeing announced it was offering the KC-767 Advanced Tanker for the KC-X Tanker competition.<ref name="ap_20070212">Borak, D. [http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2003568484_webtanker12.html "Boeing Unveils Air Force Tanker in $40 Billion Contract Competition"]. [[Associated Press]]. 12 February 2007.</ref> Boeing stated that for KC-X's requirements, the KC-767 was a better fit than the KC-777.<ref name="why 767">[http://www.airforce-magazine.com/Features/modernization/Pages/box021307boeing.aspx "Why the 767?"]. Air Force magazine, 13 February 2007.</ref> On 11 April 2007, Boeing submitted its KC-767 tanker proposal to U.S. Air Force.<ref>[http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2007/q2/070411b_nr.html "Boeing Submits KC-767 Advanced Tanker Proposal to U.S. Air Force"]. Boeing, 11 April 2007.</ref> The KC-767 Advanced Tanker offered for this KC-X round was based on the in-development 767-200LRF (Long Range Freighter), rather than the -200ER that Italian and Japanese KC-767 aircraft are based,<ref name="boeing5">[http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2007/q1/070212b_nr.html "Boeing Offers KC-767 Advanced Tanker to U.S. Air Force"]. Boeing, 12 February 2007.</ref> differing by combining the -200ER fuselage, -300F wing, gear, cargo door and floor, -400ER digital flightdeck and flaps, uprated engines, and "sixth-generation" fly-by-wire fuel delivery boom.<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/01/21/220925/size-matters-in-us-air-force-kc-x-contest.html "Size matters in US Air Force KC-X contest"]. Flight International, 21 January 2008.</ref> The KC-767 has [[aircraft flight control system#Hydro-mechanical|manual flight controls]] with an unrestricted [[flight envelope]].<ref>[http://www.finchannel.com/Main_News/Business/59816_Boeing_to_Offer_NewGen_Tanker_to_US_Air_Force_/ "Boeing to Offer NewGen Tanker to US Air Force"]. finchannel.com, 5 March 2010.</ref>


Boeing submitted the final version of its proposal on 3 January 2008.<ref>[http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2008/q1/080103b_nr.html "Boeing Submits Final KC-767 Advanced Tanker Proposal to U.S. Air Force"]. Boeing, 3 January 2008.</ref> On 29 February 2008, the DoD chose the Northrop Grumman/EADS KC-30, over the KC-767. The KC-30 was subsequently designated [[Northrop Grumman KC-45|KC-45A]] by the Air Force.<ref name="KC-X select">Butler, Amy, Fulghum, Davis A and Wall, Robert. [http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story.jsp?id=news/aw03038p1.xml&headline=Northrop/EADS%20Clinches%20U.S.%20Refueler%20Deal&channel=awst "Northrop/EADS Clinches U.S. Refueler Deal"]{{dead link|date=June 2011}}. ''Aviation Week'', 29 February 2008.</ref> Boeing submitted a protest to the United States [[Government Accountability Office]] on 11 March 2008 and began waging a public relations campaign in support of their protest.<ref name=King5>{{cite web |url=http://www.king5.com/topstories/stories/NW_061808BUB_boeing_gao_air_tanker_contract_JM.161e241b.html |title=GAO backs Boeing tanker protest |publisher=[[King 5]] News |date=18 June 2008 |accessdate=18 June 2008}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> On 18 June, following a series of admissions by the Air Force on the flaws in the bidding process, the GAO upheld Boeing's protest and recommended the contract be rebid.<ref name=King5/> On 9 July 2008, Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced that the Air Force would reopen bidding on the tanker contract.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/10/business/10tanker.html?hp "Air Force to Reopen Bidding on Tanker Contract"]. New York Times, 10 July 2008.</ref> Secretary Gates put the contract for the KC-45 into an "expedited recompetition" with Defense Undersecretary [[John Young]] in charge of the selection process instead of the Air Force.<ref name="Pentagon Reopens">Kruzel, John J. [http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50453 "Pentagon Reopens Bidding on Tanker Contract"]. US DoD, 9 July 2008.</ref> A draft of the revised RFP was provided to the contractors on 6 August 2008 for comments. By mid-August the revised RFP was to be finalized.<ref>[http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_channel.jsp?channel=defense&id=news/REVISED08068.xml "Pentagon Issues New Tanker Bid Parameters"]{{dead link|date=June 2011}}. ''Aviation Week'', 6 August 2008.</ref> However, on 10 September 2008, the U.S. Defense Department canceled the KC-X solicitation.<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>
Boeing submitted the final version of its proposal on 3 January 2008.<ref>[http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2008/q1/080103b_nr.html "Boeing Submits Final KC-767 Advanced Tanker Proposal to U.S. Air Force"]. Boeing, 3 January 2008.</ref> On 29 February 2008, the DoD chose the Northrop Grumman/EADS KC-30, over the KC-767. The KC-30 was subsequently designated [[Northrop Grumman KC-45|KC-45A]] by the Air Force.<ref name="KC-X select">Butler, Amy, Fulghum, Davis A and Wall, Robert. [http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story.jsp?id=news/aw03038p1.xml&headline=Northrop/EADS%20Clinches%20U.S.%20Refueler%20Deal&channel=awst "Northrop/EADS Clinches U.S. Refueler Deal"]{{dead link|date=June 2011}}. ''Aviation Week'', 29 February 2008.</ref> Boeing submitted a protest to the United States [[Government Accountability Office]] on 11 March 2008 and began waging a public relations campaign in support of their protest.<ref name=King5>{{cite web |url=http://www.king5.com/topstories/stories/NW_061808BUB_boeing_gao_air_tanker_contract_JM.161e241b.html |title=GAO backs Boeing tanker protest |publisher=[[King 5]] News |date=18 June 2008 |accessdate=18 June 2008}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> On 18 June, following a series of admissions by the Air Force on the flaws in the bidding process, the GAO upheld Boeing's protest and recommended the contract be rebid.<ref name=King5/> On 9 July 2008, Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced that the Air Force would reopen bidding on the tanker contract.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/10/business/10tanker.html?hp "Air Force to Reopen Bidding on Tanker Contract"]. New York Times, 10 July 2008.</ref> Secretary Gates put the contract for the KC-45 into an "expedited recompetition" with Defense Undersecretary [[John Young]] in charge of the selection process instead of the Air Force.<ref name="Pentagon Reopens">Kruzel, John J. [http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50453 "Pentagon Reopens Bidding on Tanker Contract"]. US DoD, 9 July 2008.</ref> A draft of the revised RFP was provided to the contractors on 6 August 2008 for comments. By mid-August the revised RFP was to be finalized.<ref>[http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_channel.jsp?channel=defense&id=news/REVISED08068.xml "Pentagon Issues New Tanker Bid Parameters"]{{dead link|date=June 2011}}. ''Aviation Week'', 6 August 2008.</ref> However, on 10 September 2008, the U.S. Defense Department canceled the KC-X solicitation.<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>

Revision as of 18:14, 20 August 2012

KC-46
The KC-46A will be externally similar to this Italian Air Force KC-767A refueling a B-52.
Role Air-to-air tanker
Manufacturer Boeing
Primary user United States Air Force
Developed from Boeing KC-767

The Boeing KC-46 is a military aerial refueling and strategic transport aircraft developed by Boeing from its 767 jet airliner. In February 2011, the tanker was selected by United States Air Force (USAF) as the winner in the KC-X tanker competition to replace older KC-135 Stratotankers.

Development

Background

The U.S. Air Force ran a procurement program to replace around 100 of its oldest KC-135E Stratotankers, and selected Boeing's KC-767.[1] The Boeing tanker received the KC-767A designation from the United States Department of Defense in 2002 and appearing in the 2004 edition of DoD model designation report.[2] The Air Force decided to lease 100 KC-767 tankers from Boeing.[3]

Despite several nations leasing military aircraft, there was criticism. U.S. Senator John McCain and others criticized the draft leasing agreement as being wasteful and problematic. In response to the protests, the Air Force struck a compromise in November 2003, whereby it would purchase 80 KC-767 aircraft and lease 20 more.[4][5]

Then in December 2003, the Pentagon announced the project was to be frozen when an investigation of allegations of corruption led to the jailing of one of its former procurement executives who applied to work for Boeing.[6]

USAF KC-X Program

Main article: KC-X
Gray jet aircraft facing left on tarmac against a cloudless, pale blue sky. In the foreground are green grass; the foreground is a wet tarmac
An Italian Air Force KC-767 on the tarmac at McConnell AFB/Boeing Factory in Wichita, Kansas in 2010

In 2006 the USAF released a request for proposal (RFP) for a new tanker program, KC-X, to be selected by 2007. Boeing had also announced it may enter an even higher capability tanker based on the Boeing 777, named the KC-777 Strategic Tanker. Airbus partnered with Northrop Grumman to offer the Airbus A330 MRTT, the tanker version of the A330, which was being marketed to the USAF under the company name, KC-30.[7]

In late January 2007 the USAF issued the KC-X Aerial Refueling Aircraft Request for Proposal. The RFP called for 179 (4 system development and demonstration and 175 production) tankers, in a contract worth an estimated US$40 billion.[8] However, Northrop and EADS expressed their displeasure at how the RFP was structured and threatened to withdraw, leaving only Boeing to offer an aircraft.[9]

On 12 February 2007, Boeing announced it was offering the KC-767 Advanced Tanker for the KC-X Tanker competition.[10] Boeing stated that for KC-X's requirements, the KC-767 was a better fit than the KC-777.[11] On 11 April 2007, Boeing submitted its KC-767 tanker proposal to U.S. Air Force.[12] The KC-767 Advanced Tanker offered for this KC-X round was based on the in-development 767-200LRF (Long Range Freighter), rather than the -200ER that Italian and Japanese KC-767 aircraft are based,[13] differing by combining the -200ER fuselage, -300F wing, gear, cargo door and floor, -400ER digital flightdeck and flaps, uprated engines, and "sixth-generation" fly-by-wire fuel delivery boom.[14] The KC-767 has manual flight controls with an unrestricted flight envelope.[15]

Boeing submitted the final version of its proposal on 3 January 2008.[16] On 29 February 2008, the DoD chose the Northrop Grumman/EADS KC-30, over the KC-767. The KC-30 was subsequently designated KC-45A by the Air Force.[17] Boeing submitted a protest to the United States Government Accountability Office on 11 March 2008 and began waging a public relations campaign in support of their protest.[18] On 18 June, following a series of admissions by the Air Force on the flaws in the bidding process, the GAO upheld Boeing's protest and recommended the contract be rebid.[18] On 9 July 2008, Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced that the Air Force would reopen bidding on the tanker contract.[19] Secretary Gates put the contract for the KC-45 into an "expedited recompetition" with Defense Undersecretary John Young in charge of the selection process instead of the Air Force.[20] A draft of the revised RFP was provided to the contractors on 6 August 2008 for comments. By mid-August the revised RFP was to be finalized.[21] However, on 10 September 2008, the U.S. Defense Department canceled the KC-X solicitation.[22]

On 24 September 2009, the USAF began the first steps in the new round of bids, with a clearer set of criteria, including reducing the number of requirements from 800 to 373 in an attempt to simplify the process and allow a more objective decision to be made.[23] On 4 March 2010, Boeing announced it would bid the KC-767 tanker for the new KC-X round.[24] EADS announced in April 2010 it would submit a tanker bid without Northrop Grumman as a U.S. partner.[25][26] Boeing submitted its KC-767 "NewGen Tanker" bid on 9 July 2010.[27][28] The company submitted a revised bid on 10 February 2011.[29]

On 24 February 2011, the Air Force announced the selection of Boeing's KC-767. The aircraft will receive the designation KC-46A.[30][31] Boeing was also awarded a development contract for the tanker. The contract calls for Boeing to complete, and deliver 18 initial operational KC-46 tankers by 2017.[32] Boeing's "NewGen Tanker" is based on the 767-200 with an improved version of the KC-10 refueling boom, and cockpit displays from the 787.[33][34]

In late June 2011, it was reported that development costs were projected to overrun by about $300 million. Boeing would be responsible for this amount, which exceeds the contract cost cap of $4.9 billion.[35][36] In July 2011, revised cost projections indicated a reduced cost overrun.[37]

Operators

 United States

Specifications

Data from USAF KC-46A,[38] Boeing KC-767,[39] Boeing 767-200ER[40]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 3 (2 pilots, 1 boom operator) basic crew; 15 permanent seats for additional/optional air crew members, including aeromedical evacuation crew members
  • Capacity: seating for up to 114 people, 18 463L pallets, or 58 patients (24 litters, 34 ambulatory)Fuel Capacity: 212,299 lb (96,297 kg)
    Maximum Transfer Fuel Load: 207,672 lb (94,198 kg)

Performance

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

  1. ^ "Boeing Given Nod on Tanker Lease". Military-Aerospace Technology Magazine; volume: 1, issue: 2, 1 May 2002. (archive link).
  2. ^ DoD 4120.15L, Model Designation of Military Aerospace Vehicles. US DoD, 12 May 2004.
  3. ^ Tirpak, John A. "100 Tankers". Air Force magazine, August 2003.
  4. ^ "Tanker Twilight Zone". Air Force magazine, February 2004, Vol. 87, No. 2.
  5. ^ Pope, Charles. "Pentagon finalizes Boeing tanker deal". Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 7 November 2003.
  6. ^ Cahlink, George, "Ex-Pentagon procurement executive gets jail time". Government Executive, October 1, 2004.
  7. ^ Northrop Grumman KC-30 marketing web site[dead link]
  8. ^ Air Force Posts KC-X Request for Proposals. USAF, 2007-01-30.
  9. ^ Evens, Ben and Daly, Matthew (AP), "Northrop-EADS threatens to withdraw bid for US Air Force contract leaving only Boeing". Aerotech News and Review, 2 February 2007.
  10. ^ Borak, D. "Boeing Unveils Air Force Tanker in $40 Billion Contract Competition". Associated Press. 12 February 2007.
  11. ^ "Why the 767?". Air Force magazine, 13 February 2007.
  12. ^ "Boeing Submits KC-767 Advanced Tanker Proposal to U.S. Air Force". Boeing, 11 April 2007.
  13. ^ "Boeing Offers KC-767 Advanced Tanker to U.S. Air Force". Boeing, 12 February 2007.
  14. ^ "Size matters in US Air Force KC-X contest". Flight International, 21 January 2008.
  15. ^ "Boeing to Offer NewGen Tanker to US Air Force". finchannel.com, 5 March 2010.
  16. ^ "Boeing Submits Final KC-767 Advanced Tanker Proposal to U.S. Air Force". Boeing, 3 January 2008.
  17. ^ Butler, Amy, Fulghum, Davis A and Wall, Robert. "Northrop/EADS Clinches U.S. Refueler Deal"[dead link]. Aviation Week, 29 February 2008.
  18. ^ a b "GAO backs Boeing tanker protest". King 5 News. 18 June 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2008. [dead link]
  19. ^ "Air Force to Reopen Bidding on Tanker Contract". New York Times, 10 July 2008.
  20. ^ Kruzel, John J. "Pentagon Reopens Bidding on Tanker Contract". US DoD, 9 July 2008.
  21. ^ "Pentagon Issues New Tanker Bid Parameters"[dead link]. Aviation Week, 6 August 2008.
  22. ^ "DoD Announces Termination of KC-X Tanker Solicitation". US DoD, 10 September 2008.
  23. ^ Air Force Resumes Tanker Contest
  24. ^ "Boeing to Offer NewGen Tanker to US Air Force". Boeing, 4 March 2010.
  25. ^ "EADS Re-Enters Tanker Bidding". Wall Street Journal, 21 April 2010.
  26. ^ Butler, Amy. "Northrop Grumman Officially Out of KC-X"[dead link]. Aviation Week, 9 March 2010.
  27. ^ Trimble, Stephen. "USAF receives three proposals for KC-X, but Antonov team admits concerns". Flight International, 9 July 2010.
  28. ^ "Boeing Submits NewGen Tanker Proposal to US Air Force". Boeing, 9 July 2010.
  29. ^ Gates, Dominic. "Boeing, EADS Submit Final Bids For Air Force Tanker Contract". Seattle Times, 11 February 2011.
  30. ^ "USAF selects Boeing for KC-X contract"
  31. ^ "Boeing Wins $35B Air Force Tanker Deal". Bloomberg, 24 February 2011.
  32. ^ "Boeing Receives US Air Force Contract to Build Next-Generation Refueling Tanker". Boeing, 24 February 2011.
  33. ^ Warwick, Graham. "Boeing Wins Restaged U.S. Air Force KC-X Tanker"[dead link]. Aviation Week, 25 February 2011.
  34. ^ Trimble, Stephen. "Boeing source reveals specifications for KC-767 NewGen Tanker". Flight International, 29 September 2010.
  35. ^ Cappacio, Tony. "Boeing projected to face $300 million overrun on tanker contract". Seattle Times.
  36. ^ Butler, Amy (29 June 2011). "Boeing Liable For KC-46 Overage". Aviation Week. Retrieved 29 July 2011.
  37. ^ Weisgerber, Marcus. "Boeing Lowers KC-46 Cost Estimate". Defense News, 27 July 2011.
  38. ^ KC-46A Tanker Factsheet. U.S. Air Force, 18 May 2011.
  39. ^ a b KC-767 Advanced Tanker product card (archive copy), KC-767 International Tanker backgrounder. Boeing.
  40. ^ 767-200ER specifications. Boeing.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Boeing KC-767.

Template:United States Military Aerial Refueling Aircraft

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