This article first appeared in Aerospace Daily & Defense Report.
A draft request for proposals (RFP) that will kick off the U.S. Air Force’s next attempt to procure a KC-135 aerial refueling tanker replacement could come out later than expected.
“This may go into the fall because we want to make certain we get this right,” Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said at a press briefing there July 15. Defense Department officials had hoped earlier to release the draft RFP this month and award a contract early next year.
Morrell declined to comment on the specifics of discussions about what should be included in the RFP.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates also has not made a decision yet on which office in the Pentagon — the Air Force that will use the tankers or his own under secretary of defense for acquisition — will directly oversee the competition. Morrell says that decision will likely be released at the same time as the forthcoming draft RFP.
The so-called KC-X program has had multiple false starts. Boeing was originally expecting a lease of 767-based refuelers from the Air Force, but that was dashed amid admissions from former procurement official Darleen Druyun that contracts were unfairly steered to the company. Additionally, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) investigated the deal and found it to be grossly overpriced.
A competition between Boeing 767 and Northrop Grumman/EADS North America A330 designs went to the Northrop team, but was quashed amid a protest from Boeing. The Government Accountability Office found errors in the procurement process that led to the decision.
Read the rest of this story, see how the Brits are dealing with rotary woes, get a first look at the Army’s modernization plan and check out what those crazy Canucks are up to from our friends at aviation week, exclusively on Military.com.
– Christian
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
his own under secretary of defense for acquisition.
I vote for that, cause boeing isnt going to buy OBAMA for nothing. Hell with that ude in Office why even make a competition?
Just give boeing as much money as they want and be done with it?
his own under secretary of defense for acquisition.
I vote for that, cause boeing isnt going to buy OBAMA for nothing. with that dude in Office why even make a competition?
Just give boeing as much money as they want and be done with it?
How hard can this be? It’s just aerial refuelling!
This is a prime example of the DoD acquisition process gone wrong. The split buy is another abortion to come out of this process…..the worst possible idea ever….just a ploy to try to guarantee Boeing some jobs.
Horrendous waste of time and money….
Good Morning Folks,
I see some problems here with the tanker bid. First off how many do we really need?
The original RFP and Bid was based on a much larger projection of aircraft in the military services. The emergence of UAV’s that have longer flight durations between fueling and a smaller number of transports, and fighter aircraft it would seem that fewer tankers would be required.
The life span of the current fleet of tankers has been grossly underestimated by the Air Force. It may be that the current needs may be much smaller with the longer service life of the KC-135 fleet then the projected estimate.
Lastly consideration should be given to purchasing airframes from the existing inventory 767′s and 330′s that have been used only briefly by the world airlines and are now in storage because of the world wide economic down turn.
These low hour birds could be had at great savings to the taxpayer and Boeing and Airbus could still make good profits by converting them to a KC configuration. For those who say no to this idea it must be remembered that the current fleet of KC-135 were all used air frames (Boeing 707′s), many from foreign airlines such as Air India. They have and still are serving the USAF/Navy and Army quite well.
To buy new air frames with the abundance of low hour aircraft of the same model sitting out in storage right now just doesn’t make economic sense.
ALLONS,
Byron Skinner
To buy new air frames with the abundance of low hour aircraft of the same model sitting out in storage right now just doesn’t make economic sense.
It makes perfect sense if your goal is to pad Boeing and/or NGEADS bottom line. Out of all the politicians stating opinions about the tanker issue, how many of them actually spoke about military necessity rather than their district’s economic woes?
I urge using the Airbus or 767,777,787 as Interim Tankers & then have a Blended Flying Wing for KCX-2 project IE 797.
No more MD for jetliners, deal must be with Airbus & Boeing.
But Fair bidding & costs in contract.
1 797 could maybe refuel 10,30 planes at once vs the old KC 135 model.
Very doable.
& can carry Air Cargo as well.
See Boeing 797 Blended Wing.
OR customize some 747s as tankers?
It’s one thing about the Raptor being cancelled(no more being built than is already authorized),but when our government cannot even provide the “beans & bullets” needed for our forces to survive…..Is this blatant stupidity or blatant treason on the part of our government(the president,congress & the senate,& the Pentagon)? The days of “We the People” changing our government through elections are over,especially when you can’t the difference between Republicans & Democrats anymore(There’s not a “dime’s worth of difference” between them anymore,contrary to “public” opinion).
The process is so messed up its just sad.
If I could have anything happen I would just sole source this thing to Airbus.
Boeing tried to cheat on this deal before and should be barred from participating.