Everyone thought Boeing was a shoe-in for the $40-billion, 180-plane first phase of a huge program to buy new KC-45 tankers to replace the Air Force’s 45-year-old Boeing KC-135s. But Northrop and France-based EADS just won with their Airbus-derived model. Boeing’s 767 tanker was smaller and nimbler, an advantage for hectic air campaigns, according to the company. But get this:
General Arthur J. Lichte, commander of the US Air Force’s Air Mobility Command, said the winning design had many advantages over Boeing’s tanker. “More passengers, more cargo, more fuel to offload, more patient that we can carry, more availability, more flexibility and more dependability,” he said.
A bigger tanker is especially useful over the vast Pacific — note that Australia recently bought A-330 tankers (pictured). And fewer but bigger tankers means the Air Force can reduce tanker force structure, settling on a smaller fleet than today’s 500 KC-135s.
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Unbelievable. We’re buying military aircraft from the FRENCH now?! What the hell is wrong with the USAF??
@pelicans.
What’s the problem with buying Airbus? Boeing screwed up by offering a smaller tanker in the 767. As a former RAF pilot I commend the decision! Finally the USAF buying a tanker that will hold more fuel and allow for even greater force projection.
@James:
You really can’t see the problem with buying Airbus? In the United States? With regards to the U.S. Air Force? During a trade war between Boeing and Airbus? With the U.S. and E.U. duking it out as proxies in the WTO? Especially when protectionism in the U.S. is running at an all time high right now? Seriously??
Merde.
Boeing and Congress not sitting still for this one… Stay tuned.
James,
Boeing SPECIFICALLY offered a 767 variaint, only to be told it was a MEDIUM tanker that the AF wanted.