The U.S. Air Force has granted Boeing a contract to perform the Block 1 upgrade on the KC-46A tanker aircraft.
This enhancement will provide advanced communication capabilities, improving the aircraft’s data connectivity and situational awareness.
The upgrade encompasses both line-of-sight and beyond-line-of-sight communication technologies, featuring antijamming and encryption functionalities. These improvements are expected to bolster the data and communication support the KC-46A offers to joint and allied forces in maintaining battlespace situational awareness.
James Burgess, Vice President and KC-46 Program Manager, highlighted the long-term commitment from both Boeing and the Air Force. According to Burgess, the KC-46A is designed to integrate state-of-the-art capabilities as mission requirements evolve.
“This upgrade demonstrates long-term investment from Boeing and the Air Force. The KC-46A is built to integrate cutting-edge capabilities directly into the DNA of the aircraft as the needs of the mission evolve.”
And looking to retire all of their 24 KC-10s with the NGAS due to enter service in the 2030s.
NGAS is looking like the Zumwalt of the air. If they go down that route they will end up with three of them.
Their best option is to reinstate the LM proposal for the A330 MRTT to replace most of their KC 135 ASAP and use MQ25 if they need a stealthy tanker aircraft.
Anything else will gut their capability and leave them patching together 80 year old aircraft for decades to come.
All credit to USAF ground crews being able to operate aircraft fleets of this age but there are limits to what they can do.
Only Boeing could try and sell a tanker as some high tech integrated platform for the “war fighter”. It’s the greatest mistake made in modern US military history turning their back on the A330 and shows that when it comes to defence cooperation and equipment standardisation Uncle Sams rhetoric is one way. Thanks god the UK dodged the bullet as the alternative to airtanker was a 767 conversion with BAE and Boeing. I’m sure we would have ended up with one plane after cost+ contract with those two. It’s amazing to me how the US allows Boeing to get away… Read more »
From what I have read in the past, this has to be one of the most corrupt procurement contracts performed by the DoD, which saw Congresswoman Darleen Druyun and Boeing executives going to prison over the KC-X. You are right, we did dodge a partially nasty program. I could be wrong.
The A330 doesn’t fit in the existing hangars or ramp infrastructure designed for the KC-135. That’s also why the USAF had to take the 767-200 based variant. Without physical limitations Boeing wanted to bid a 777-200LR based tanker that would carry 40% more gas than an A330.
I though they took the 767 after massive bribery. If the a330 did not fit the infrastructure then how did it win the competition in the first place?
I’m sure a significant amount of the KC135 infrastructure will have to be replaced but then it’s going to have to be replaced eventually. The RC 135 variants are very small by todays standards.
They took the 767 after Boeing contested that the A330 didn’t meet the contract requirements. If they knew the Air Force was willing to accept deviations from those contract areas they would have bid the KC-777, unmatched in payload, range and capacity.
Considering the US pivot to the Pacific, the A330 made way more sense even considering the need for new base infrastructure. At the very least, the US should have considered both a small and large option. As for the 777 tanker, great concept but to much development time would be required. More importantly, a split buy keeps the vendors on their toes.
Hmmm, I think I’m going with your theory Jim, basically a very loud ” Hell no” from the US Defense industrial Complex….
They shot down the Merlin and shot down the A330.
The Canberra and the Harrier were the first and the last fixed wing, there won’t be others.
I believe its only the Lakota ( EC135 is it) that’s managed to somehow cut the mustard….
T-6, T-45, HC-144, C-27, C-145, C-146, U-28
Good points, T45 however just looks like Hawk, very little in common…..
We could, for once, all loudly shout that DES got it right?
I know that isn’t a popular view on here but it does happen….and we got what we needed…..
Sure the contract wasn’t all that but look at the alternatives…..
Right aircraft wrong procurement method for sure with a bad contract.
At least something was right and the aircraft works!
From what I have read in the past, this has to be one of the most corrupt procurement contracts performed by the DoD that saw Congresswoman Darleen Druyun and Boeing executives going to prison over the KC-X. Good job we went with the Airbus A330.
Correction: I don’t think she was a Congresswoman. Either way, she only got nine months in federal prison for corruption, was fined $5,000, and was given three years of supervised release, and 150 hours of community service. What B.S.
Darlene A Druyun, Principal Deputy UnderSecretary of the Air Force for Acquisition; an illustrative example of revolving door appointments in the military-industrial complex bureaucracy. 😳🙄
…oh, yes, and convicted felon. .
Thanks for the insight, it’s a real shame for the hard working service personnel of the US forces that have to operate under politicians of this caliber and military contractors that have lost all touch with reality.
The US has some amazing defence companies but a big few spoil it for everyone and Boeing in particular is doing the US no favours at the moment.
That’s amazing as they can’t get the original sorted out 😂🤣😂😂
Ahhh…The USAF tanker that cannot…err Tanker!
Just stick drouge/probe on some B1’s give about 90+Ton of fuel with fuel tank i bomb bays thats about same as KC-135 or B2 if you want stealthy 🙂