Both competitors for the Air Force’s KC-X tanker replacement program gathered panels of retired Air Force officers this week at AFA’s Air & Space Conference to extol the virtues of their aircraft. The Boeing panel argued that the 767 is the right size for the runways to be encountered and more fuel efficient than the larger Northrop Grumman-EADS North America KC-30. The Northrop panel argued that the KC-30 can carry more fuel to offload and more cargo and passengers to fulfill the tanker’s alternate role as an airlifter. Both arguments have been heard before. The Air Force has a tough decision that is expects to make by year’s end. Then it’s on to the next increments, the KC-Y and KC-Z.
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.