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KC-X program
A United States Air Force KC-135 tanker takes off in Gloucestershire, England. The winner of the KC-X program is to replace older KC-135s.
Project for Aerial refueling tanker aircraft
Issued by United States Air Force
Proposals Airbus A330 MRTT
Boeing KC-767
Antonov An-112KC
Prototypes Boeing KC-767
Airbus A330 MRTT
Date concluded 2011
Outcome Round 1: EADS/Northrop Grumman KC-45 selected for production, but result protested
Round 2: Boeing KC-46 Pegasus selected for production, no protest
Predecessor programs Commercial Derivative Air Refueling Aircraft

KC-X is the United States Air Force (USAF) program to procure its next-generation aerial refueling tanker aircraft to replace some of the older Boeing KC-135 Stratotankers. The contest was for a production contract for 179 new tankers with estimated value of US$35 billion. The two contenders to replace the KC-135 aircraft were Boeing and EADS, following the elimination of US Aerospace, Inc.[1]

The current KC-X program follows earlier attempts by the USAF to procure a new tanker. A 2002 plan had the USAF leasing Boeing KC-767 tankers, followed by a 2003 modification where the USAF would buy most of the KC-767 aircraft and lease several more of them. Corruption investigations revealed wrongdoing in the award of the contract and the contract was canceled in 2005, setting the stage for the KC-X program.

The USAF issued the KC-X request for proposal in January 2007,[2] then selected the Northrop Grumman/EADS team and their Airbus A330-based tankers in February 2008.[3] In June 2008, the U.S. Government Accountability Office sustained a protest by Boeing on the award of the contract.[4][5] In July 2008, the U.S. Defense Department reopened the bidding process,[6] but canceled the KC-X solicitation in September 2008.[7] In September 2009, the USAF began the first steps toward accepting new bids.[8] In March 2010, Northrop Grumman announced that it would pull out of the bidding process.[9] Despite Northrop Grumman's withdrawal, EADS decided to remain in the ongoing competition alone.[10] The Air Force selected Boeing's KC-46 bid on 24 February 2011 and EADS declined to protest the award.[11]

Background

The initial plan was to lease Boeing KC-767 tankers on a sole-source basis; Boeing is the only American company with the requisite industrial capability to manufacture large-body aircraft. As such, the KC-767 was selected in 2002[12] and in 2003 was awarded a US$20 billion contract to lease KC-767 tankers to replace the KC-135.

Led by Senator John McCain, several US government leaders protested the lease contract as 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.[13]

Yet in December 2003, the Pentagon announced the project was to be frozen while an investigation of allegations of corruption by one of its former procurement staffers, Darleen Druyun (who had moved to Boeing in January 2003) was begun. Druyun pleaded guilty of criminal wrongdoing and was sentenced to nine months in prison for "negotiating a job with Boeing at the same time she was involved in contracts with the company".[14] Additional fallout included the termination of CFO Michael M. Sears, who received a four-month prison sentence,[15] the resignation of Boeing CEO Philip M. Condit,[16][17] and Boeing paying $615 million in fines.[18] In January 2006, the lease contract was formally canceled.[19]

Proposals

Initial competition

The USAF then began the KC-X tanker replacement program. The DoD posted a request for proposal on 30 January 2007.[2] The U.S. Air Force's main requirements are "fuel offload and range at least as great as the KC-135", airlift capability, ability to take on fuel in flight, and multi-point refueling capability.[2]

Two manufacturers expressed interest in producing this aircraft. The team of Northrop Grumman and EADS/Airbus proposed a version of the Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT), based on the Airbus A330-200.[20] Boeing proposed a version of the KC-767, based on the Boeing 767.[21] The Seattle Times commented on the pre-final designs in February 2007: "Northrop has been viewed as the underdog, with a heavier, less fuel efficient aircraft. The Airbus tanker would have a maximum fuel capacity of 200,000 pounds. Northrop spokesman Randy Belote said Northrop's K-30 would tack on roughly 20 percent in fuel capacity."[22]

Both competitors submitted their tanker proposals before the 12 April 2007 deadline.[23][24] In September 2007, the USAF dismissed having a mixed fleet new tankers from both Boeing and Northrop Grumman as being unfeasible because of increased costs from buying limited numbers of two types annually.[25] In December 2007, it was announced that the KC-X tanker would be designated KC-45A regardless of which design wins the competition.[26] The DoD anticipated that the KC-45A would start to enter service in 2013.[27]

On 3 January 2008, the competitors submitted final revisions of their proposals to the U.S. Air Force.[28] On 29 February 2008, the DoD announced the selection of the Northrop Grumman/EADS's KC-30.[29]

On 11 March 2008, Boeing filed a protest with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) of the award of the contract to the Northrop Grumman/EADS team. Boeing stated that there are certain aspects of the USAF evaluation process that have given it grounds to appeal.[30][31] The protest was upheld by the GAO on 18 June 2008, which recommended that the Air Force rebid the contract.[4][5]

Expedited recompetition

On 9 July 2008, the Defense Secretary Robert Gates put the tanker contract in an "expedited recompetition" with Defense Undersecretary John Young in charge of the selection process instead of the Air Force.[6] A draft of the revised RFP was provided to the contractors on 6 August 2008 for comments with the revised RFP to be finalized by mid-August. Proposals would be due in October 2008 and selection was to be done by the end of 2008.[32][33][34][35] In mid-August, there was speculation that Boeing was considering a "no bid" position.[36] On 21 August 2008 Boeing asked the DoD for an additional four months to submit a proposal centered on a larger aircraft,[37] but they opposed further delay.[38] Then on 10 September 2008, Defense Secretary Robert Gates decided that the new competition could not be fairly completed before the end of 2008. The DoD canceled the request for proposals and delayed the decision on when to issue another request until the new presidential administration was in office.[7][39][40]

Restarted competition

Deputy Secretary of Defense William Lynn, speaks about KC-X at a press conference at the Pentagon on 24 September 2009.

On 16 September 2009, Secretary Gates announced a renewed effort for the KC-X program. The selection process will be under the Air Force with a "robust oversight role" by the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) to prevent a repeated failure.[41][42] On 25 September 2009 the USAF issued a draft request for proposals (RFP) seeking comments for the official tanker replacement RFP.[43] The RFP for a fixed-price contract specified 373 requirements for the new plane, and stated that the price of each tanker would be adjusted to reflect how much it would cost to operate over 40 years and how well it would meet various war-fighting needs. The initial contract would be for 179 aircraft for $35 billion.[44][45][46] Northrop Grumman/EADS team claimed the requirement was advantaging Boeing and threatened to withdraw from the competition on 1 December 2009.[47][48][49]

The fiscal 2011 Defense Department budget relegates $864 million in research and development money. A contract award was expected in summer 2010.[50] On 24 February 2010, the US Air Force released the revised request for proposal (RFP) for KC-X. The RFP calls for the KC-X tanker to first fly in 2012 and aircraft deliveries to begin in 2013.[51]

On 8 March 2010, Northrop Grumman followed through with their earlier threat and decided to not submit a bid for the KC-X tanker stating that they believe the new evaluation methodology favors Boeing's smaller tanker.[9][52] EADS, however announced on 20 April 2010, that it was re-entering the competition on a stand-alone basis and intended to bid the KC-30 with final assembly to take place in Mobile, Alabama as planned under its prior teaming arrangement with Northrop Grumman.[53] On 18 June 2010, the USAF announced that the decision would be delayed until November 2010.[54]

On 1 July 2010, a surprise third bidder, consisting of the team of US Aerospace and the Ukrainian manufacturer Antonov announced its intention to bid in the competition. The two firms announced that they would be interested in supplying up to three types of aircraft to the United States Air Force. The types reportedly being offered are the four-engined An-124 and a twin-engined variant of the aircraft, the An-122. The third aircraft to be offered is known as the An-112.[55][56] The An-112 tanker is a version of the Antonov An-70, except with two jet engines. This tanker was proposed in the team's bid.[57]

By 9 July 2010 bids from Boeing, EADS and US Aerospace/Antonov were submitted to the Air Force.[58] However, the Air Force rejected the US Aerospace bid for allegedly arriving 5 minutes after the deadline, which US Aerospace disputes. US Aerospace filed separate protests with the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) on 2 August and 1 September.[57][59] The U.S. Air Force proceeded with source selection while GAO investigated.[60] The GAO dismissed U.S. Aerospace’s protest on 6 October.[61]

In November 2010, the USAF mistakenly sent technical reviews of the other side's bids to each of the two remaining teams.[62] At this time contract selection was postponed from late December 2010 until early 2011.[63]

Boeing and EADS submitted their final bids on 10 February 2011.[64] On 24 February 2011, Boeing's KC-767 proposal was selected as the winning offer. The tanker will be designated the KC-46A.[65] EADS North America chairman Ralph Crosby declined to protest the award saying that Boeing's bid was "very, very, very aggressive" and carried a high risk of losing money for the company.[66] Loren B. Thompson of the Lexington Institute agreed that Boeing's bid was very aggressive due to the Air Force's fixed-price contract strategy.[67]

Specifications

There were three different bids proposed in July 2010. EADS proposed the Airbus A330 MRRT/KC-30, Boeing proposed the KC-767, while the Antonov/US Aerospace team's bid was the An-112KC. Specifications of these aircraft, as well as the aircraft intended to be replaced, the KC-135, are listed in the table below.

KC-135R A330 MRTT / KC-30 KC-767 Advanced Tanker
(based on 767-200LRF) 		An-112KC
Length 136 ft 3 in (41.5 m) 192 ft 11 in (58.8 m) 159 ft 2 in (48.5 m) 131 ft 5 in (40.1 m)
Height 41 ft 8 in (12.7 m) 57 ft 1 in (17.4 m) 52 ft (15.8 m) 53 ft 2 in (16.2 m)
Wingspan 130 ft 10 in (39.9 m) 197 ft 10 in (60.3 m) 156 ft 1 in (47.6 m) 166 ft 2 in (50.6 m)
Fuselage width 12 ft (3.66 m) 18 ft 6 in (5.64 m) 16 ft 6 in (5.03 m) 17 ft 1 in (5.21 m)
Fuselage height 14 ft (4.27 m) 18 ft 6 in (5.64 m) 17 ft 9 in (5.41 m) -
Engines 4 x CFM International CFM56 2 x RR Trent 700 or
GE CF6-80 turbofans 		2 x Pratt & Whitney PW4062 2 x GE GEnx-1B74/75, Engine Alliance GP7277 or
Pratt & Whitney PW4074/74D
Thrust 4 x 21,634 lbf (96.2 kN) 2 x 72,000 lbf (320 kN) 2 x 63,500 lbf (282 kN) -
Passengers 80[68] 226-280[69] 190 300
Cargo 6 x 463L pallets 32 x 463L pallets 19 x 463L pallets 8 pallets
Maximum fuel capability 200,000 lb (90,700 kg)[70] 250,000 lb (113,000 kg) greater than 202,000 lb (91,600 kg) 139,000 lb (63,000 kg)
Max. takeoff fuel load Approximately 200,000 lb (90,700 kg)[70] 245,000 lb (111,000 kg)[71] greater than 202,000 lb (91,600 kg) 139,000 lb (63,000 kg)
Range 11,015 nmi (12,680 mi; 20,400 km)[70] 6,750 nmi (7,768 mi; 12,500 km) 6,590 nmi (7,584 mi; 12,200 km) 6,800 nmi (7,825 mi; 12,590 km)
Cruise speed Mach 0.79 (530 mph or 853 km/h) Mach 0.82 (534 mph or 859 km/h) Mach 0.80 (530 mph or 853 km/h) -
Maximum speed Mach 0.90 (600 mph or 966 km/h) Mach 0.86 (570 mph or 917 km/h) Mach 0.86 (570 mph or 917 km/h) -
Max. takeoff weight 322,500 lb (146,300 kg) 507,000 lb (230,000 kg) greater than 400,000 lb (180,000 kg) 364,000 lb (165,000 kg)
Max. landing weight 322,500 lb (146,300 kg),
normally 200,000 lb (91,000 kg) 		396,800 lb (180,000 kg) 300,000 lb (140,000 kg) -
Empty weight approx. 122,000 lb (55,000 kg) 263,700 lb (119,600 kg) 181,600 lb (82,400 kg) 164,000 lb (74,000 kg)

Sources: Northrop Grumman KC-30,[71][72] Airbus A330,[73] KC-767 Advanced Tanker,[74] Boeing 767,[75] Civil Aircraft,[76] A330 MRTT[77] An-112KC[78][79]

See also

References

  1. ^ Censer, Marjorie (7 October 2010). "GAO clears Air Force in tanker case". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2010-10-12.
  2. ^ a b c "Air Force Posts Request for Proposals for Tankers". United States Department of Defense. 2007-01-30. Retrieved 2011-07-01.
  3. ^ Gates, Dominic (29 February 2008). "EADS/Northrop trumps Boeing in Air Force tanker competition". Seattle Times. Retrieved 2008-02-29.
  4. ^ a b "Statement Regarding the Bid Protest Decision Resolving the Aerial Refueling Tanker Protest by the Boeing Company" (PDF). Government Accountability Office. 2008-06-18. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-06-25. Retrieved 2008-06-18.
  5. ^ a b Gary L. Kepplinger, General Counsel (June 18, 2008). "B-311344; B-311344.3; B-311344.4; B-311344.6; B-311344.7; B-311344.8; B-311344.10; B-311344.11, The Boeing Company, June 18, 2008".
  6. ^ a b Kruzel, John J. "Pentagon Reopens Bidding on Tanker Contract". US DoD, 9 July 2008.
  7. ^ a b "DoD Announces Termination of KC-X Tanker Solicitation". US DoD, 10 September 2008.
  8. ^ Air Force Resumes Tanker Contest
  9. ^ a b Ostrower, Jon. "Northrop Grumman declines to bid on latest KC-X RFP". Flight International, 9 March 2010.
  10. ^ Avions ravitailleurs : EADS va soumettre une offre en solo [dead link‍]
  11. ^ EADS concedes KC-X contract award to Boeing
  12. ^ "Boeing Given Nod on Tanker Lease" (archived copy). Military-Aerospace Technology Magazine; volume: 1, issue: 2, 1 May 2002.
  13. ^ "Tanker Twilight Zone". Air Force magazine, February 2004, Vol. 87, No. 2.
  14. ^ Cahlink, George, "Ex-Pentagon procurement executive gets jail time". Government Executive, October 1, 2004.
  15. ^ Palmer, Kimberly, "Former Air Force acquisition official released from jail," Government Executive.com, October 3, 2005.
  16. ^ Holmes, Stanley. "Boeing: What Really Happened". Business Week Online, December 15, 2003.
  17. ^ "Cashing In For Profit?". CBS, 5 January 2005.
  18. ^ "Boeing to Pay United States Record $615 Million to Resolve Fraud Allegations". US Department of Justice, 30 June 2006.
  19. ^ Majumdar, Dave. "Boeing wins KC-X tanker battle". AirForceTimes, 24 February 2011.
  20. ^ "Northrop Grumman KC-30 marketing web site". Northrop Grumman. Archived from the original on 2007-02-12. Retrieved 2007-02-16.
  21. ^ "Boeing Offers KC-767 Advanced Tanker to U.S. Air Force". Boeing. 2007-02-12. Retrieved 2008-09-08.
  22. ^ Borak, Donna (2007-02-13). "Boeing Tweaks 767 for Tanker". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 2008-09-08.
  23. ^ "Boeing Submits KC-767 Advanced Tanker Proposal to U.S. Air Force". Boeing
  24. ^ "Northrop Grumman Submits KC-X Tanker Proposal to U.S. Air Force". Northrop Grumman
  25. ^ "Dual Sourcing Tanker Unfeasible, Wynne Says". ABC News, 20 September 2007.
  26. ^ "Boeing, Northrop vying for KC-10 service deal". Al.com, 7 December 2007.
  27. ^ "New tanker to bring increased capabilities to warfighter". US Air Force, 3 March 2008.
  28. ^ "Boeing, Northrop Submit Final Tanker Proposals To USAF", Aviation Week, 4 January 2008.
  29. ^ "Northrop Wins Tanker Contract, Beating Out Rival Boeing". Wall Street Journal, 29 February 2008.
  30. ^ "Boeing Protests U.S. Air Force Tanker Contract Award". Boeing, 11 March 2008.
  31. ^ "Air Force officials respond to Boeing protest" USAF, 12 March 2008.
  32. ^ "Pentagon Issues New Tanker Bid Parameters". Aviation Week, 6 August 2008.
  33. ^ "Tanker Contest Officially Restarts". Seattle Times, August 6, 2008.
  34. ^ Associated Press, "Pentagon Reopens Bidding For Aerial Tankers And Refines Expectations". New York Times, August 7, 2008, p. C4.
  35. ^ Pasztor, Andy, "Boeing Says Bidding Changes Favor European Tanker Team". Wall Street Journal, August 7, 2008, p. B3. Retrieved: July 1, 2011.
  36. ^ Butler, Amy; David A. Fulghum (2008-08-11). "Boeing Leaning Toward Not Re-bidding KC-X". Aviation Week.
  37. ^ Hedgpeth. "Tanker Bid Moves Toward Endgame"
  38. ^ "US Air Force General Urges Quick Action on Tanker". Reuters, September 3, 2008.
  39. ^ "The USAF's KC-X Aerial Tanker RFP: Canceled". Defense Industry Daily. 2008-09-10. Archived from the original on 2008-09-17.
  40. ^ Hedgpeth, Dana, "Pentagon Postpones Tanker Competition". Washington Post, September 11, 2008, p. D1; Cole, August, J. Lynn Lunsford, "Boeing Gets Reprieve In Fuel-Tanker Contest". Wall Street Journal, September 11, 2008, p. B1.
  41. ^ Lyle, Amaani (16 September 2009). "SecDEF announces return of KC-X program". Washington DC: USAF. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  42. ^ Pentagon's new tanker rules exclude trade fight
  43. ^ KC-X Tanker Modernization Program - Federal Business Opportunities: Opportunities
  44. ^ Drew, Christopher, "$35 Billion Tanker Contract Opens", New York Times, September 24, 2009.
  45. ^ Boeing-Airbus tanker battle resumes today
  46. ^ Alabama lawmakers say Pentagon tanker rules unfair
  47. ^ UPDATE 2-Northrop threatens to boycott US tanker contest
  48. ^ Northrop may withdraw tanker bid
  49. ^ "Northrop Grumman threatens to quit competition for tanker". The Hill, 1 December 2009.
  50. ^ Defense Department budget request continues reform agenda
  51. ^ Reed, Jon. "USAF Sets KC-X First Flight, IOC Dates". Defense News, 25 February 2010.
  52. ^ Wall, Robert. "No Solo KC-X Bid for EADS". Aviation Week, 9 March 2010.
  53. ^ "EADS North America intends to submit proposal for U.S. Air Force tanker". EADS North America press release, 20 April 2010. Archived April 26, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  54. ^ Air Force delays tanker contract
  55. ^ John T. Bennett. "In KC-X Twist, Ukrainian Aircraft Maker, U.S. Aerospace Readying Bid". Defense News.
  56. ^ "US company partners with Antonov in surprise KC-X bid". flightglobal. 2 July 2010. Retrieved 2010-07-02.
  57. ^ a b Trimble, Stephen. "US Aerospace appeals against KC-X exclusion, blames USAF ‘conspiracy’". Flight International, 5 August 2010.
  58. ^ Trimble, Stephen. "USAF receives three proposals for KC-X, but Antonov team admits concerns". Flight International, 9 July 2010.
  59. ^ Amy Butler. "U.S. Aerospace Files Second KC-X Protest". The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Retrieved 12 September 2010.
  60. ^ Amy Butler (12 August 2010). "KC-X Bidder Dialogue Begins Despite Protest". AVIATION WEEK. Retrieved 13 August 2010.
  61. ^ Bennett, John T. "GAO Denies U.S. Aerospace-Antonov KC-X Protest". Defense News, 6 October 2010.
  62. ^ Muradian, Vago. "USAF Gaffe Roils Tanker Contest." Defensenews, 19 November 2010
  63. ^ "US Air Force delays tanker pick, mixes up documents." Reuters, 19 November 2010
  64. ^ Gates, Dominic, "Boeing, EADS Submit Final Bids For Air Force Tanker Contract", Seattle Times, 11 February 2011.
  65. ^ "Boeing Wins U.S. Air Force KC-X Program" Defense-Update, 24 February 2011.
  66. ^ Gates, Dominic. "Rival knocks Boeing's 'lowball' tanker bid." The Seattle Times, 4 March 2011.
  67. ^ Munoz, Carlo. "Hill Questions Boeing Plant Closure; Hearings Possible." Aol Defense, January 9, 2012.
  68. ^ Aerospaceweb.org | Aircraft Museum - C-135 Stratolifter / KC-135 Stratotanker
  69. ^ Northrop Grumman Integrated Systems - KC-45 Tanker Archived January 29, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  70. ^ a b c Factsheets : KC-135 Stratotanker
  71. ^ a b KC-30 brochure, NorthropGrumman.com. Archived November 28, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  72. ^ KC-30 Specifications, NorthropGrumman.com.
  73. ^ A330-200 specifications. Airbus.
  74. ^ KC-767 Advanced Tanker product card Archived May 28, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  75. ^ 767 Airplane Characteristics for Airport Planning. Boeing.
  76. ^ Frawley, Gerard. The International Directory of Civil Aircraft, 2003-2004. Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd, 2003. ISBN 1-875671-58-7.
  77. ^ A330 MRTT specification. Airbus Military
  78. ^ An-112KC description. wing.com.ua
  79. ^ An112kc
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