The Air Force this week issued answers to nine questions on its draft KC-X tanker request for proposals released Sept. 24. Industry responders—read that Boeing and Northrop Grumman—have about 30 days left of their allotted 60 days to review and question the draft RFP before USAF issues the final RFP. Among the nine questions: Why did the Air Force increase the refueling boom flow rate? The Air Force responded: “The requirement was and still is 1,200 GPM. In the previous source selection this was a tradeable requirement and any value less than 1,200 GPM could have been offered and received partial credit.” (All nine questions and answers posted Oct. 19)
Poor event planning and staffing contributed to a fatal mishap last April at Kadena Air Base, Japan, when rotor wash from an HH-60W helicopter knocked over a Japanese teacher from a Department of Defense Education Activity school attending a public aerial demonstration, according to an Air Force investigation.
