So Air Force KC-X tanker news is coming pretty fast and furious today. The final request for proposal (RFP) is due out sometime this afternoon; lawmakers are reportedly being briefed on contract details this morning. This is a big one, a $35 billion order for 179 new tankers.
Amy Butler over at Ares, AvWeeks’s blog, reports that Northrop Grumman/EADS officials told lawmakers they predict a 96 to 98 percent chance that they won’t even bid on the RFP because they think it’s so stacked in favor of Boeing. They don’t think its worth the cost and effort to put together a proposal. Northrop/EADS has the larger tanker based on the Airbus A330 while Boeing’s offering is based on the smaller 767 airframe. Apparently size doesn’t matter on this one.
Deputy SecDef William Lynn, chief Pentagon weapons buyer Ashton Carter and Air Force chief Gen. Norton Schwartz will brief reporters at 4 p.m. this afternoon on the RFP. We’ll bring you updates as they come in.
– Greg
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I'm pretty sure size doesn't matter for tankers. IIRC fuel tanker capacity is limited by weight, not space.
Buy this for Tactical refuelling But Id place money on the 797 Blended Wing for the next Gen Super tanker ( cousin to the YB49, YB50).
Matt,
I am ABSOLUTELY sure size DOES matter for tankers. The larger (footprint)/heavier (ACN) your tanker, the fewer airfields you can operate from & the fewer number you can operate from each airfield.
You are correct however that tanker fuel capacity is limited by weight, not space.
Ah, the rigged military procurement system. NG/EADS won this contract once already but I guess they're gonna keep putting it out for bid until Boeing finally wins.
Your $400 per toilet seat tax dollars at work.