The race to secure the contract for USAF’s new aerial refueler, dubbed KC-X, is really in full swing now, with an April 11 announcement from Boeing that it submitted its proposal to the Air Force on Tuesday, as well. (See above.) James Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, claims the Boeing entrant, a KC-767, “will do for refueling what the C-17 has done for airlift—it will revolutionize mobility operations.” The company statement says the 7,000-page KC-X proposal describes a tanker uniquely designed for its primary air refueling mission, but also capable of moving cargo, passengers, patients, and medical crewmembers.” Boeing also touts that its KC-767 will “save taxpayers nearly $10 billion in fuel costs compared to the competitor.”
As Air Force leaders consider concepts of operations for Collaborative Combat Aircraft, sustainment in the field—and easing that support by using standard parts and limiting variants—should be a key consideration, according to a new study from AFA's Mitchell Institute of Aerospace Studies.