Tanker contest gains traction; Boeing’s 3rd KC-767
Published 10:26 am Friday, February 27, 2009
The competition between Northrop Grumman and the Boeing Co. saw some movement yesterday when the Joint Requirement Oversight Council met to review newly inked requirements from the Air Force, reports dodbuzz.com.
Rep. Jack Murtha, D-Penn., continues to push for the split-buy option but “the powerful Senate defense leaders such as Carl Levin (D-Mich.) and John McCain R-Ariz.) have gone quiet, apparently waiting for the budget and for the new RFP,” the online defense journal reports.
This week, Northrop’s partner EADS touted its tanker-building capabilities at an Air Force show in Florida.
From the EADS’ press release:
The A330 MRTT is the basic platform for Northrop Grumman’s KC-45, which was chosen in 2008 by the U.S. Air Force to modernize its aging tanker inventory. This aircraft provides a low-risk, ready now solution for the service’s urgent requirement to recapitalize its aerial refueling assets, combining a proven airframe with a highly capable in-flight refueling system.
EADS already has delivered three A330 MRTT airframes to be outfitted and completed for the Royal Australian Air Force, initiated production of 14 A330 MRTTs for the U.S. Royal Air Force, and has designated two airframes for the U.S. Air Force’s Northrop Grumman KC-45. The A330 MRTT also has been ordered by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, marking a sweep of all recent competitions for new aerial refueling aircraft around the world.
Meanwhile, Boeing delivered its third 767-based tanker to Japan earlier this week. Boeing handed the tanker over to its Japanese partner, Itochu Corp., which officially delivers the tanker to the Japan Ministry of Defense in March.
“This new KC-767J will be a valuable addition to Japan’s tanker fleet as the country performs vital missions in the Asia-Pacific region,” said Dave Bowman, Boeing vice president and general manager, Tanker Programs. “The recent completion of a yearlong technical evaluation and the on-time, on-cost delivery of this third tanker bring the JASDF one step closer to assigning these new assets to active air wings in Japan.”
Japan has four tankers on order with Boeing, which fell behind in delivering on its international tanker orders. The company says it will deliver Japan’s final tanker next year and Italy’s first tanker this year.
