The return of the KC-X programme

US Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced the long-awaited return of the US Air Force $35 billion KC-X next aerial-refuelling tanker programme yesterday during the Air Force Association Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition.

The announcement is the first step in reopening the programme for the third time since the last attempt to build the tanker was terminated due to a successful Boeing protest in September 2008.

The Air Force had awarded the contract for a Northrop-Grumman/EADS consortium, which prompted a protest from rival bidder Boeing –an event that was controversially discussed throughout the aerospace industry landscape and the media. The General Accountability Office (GAO) found irregularities in the awarding of the contract and Gates reopened the bidding process on 9 July 2008, appointing the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics as the source-selection authority. However, two months later Gates terminated the entire programme, passing further decisions on to the next administration.

Critical delays

These delays have placed the entire programme for 179 aerial refuelling tankers far behind schedule and leave a significant lack of air-refuelling capabilities for the US Air Force in the near future as the average age of the KC-135 tankers is as high as 48 years.

“Without tankers, our combat aircraft cannot reach their targets. Without tankers, our resupply aircraft and humanitarian relief materials cannot always reach their destinations. Without tankers, we cannot move our wounded warriors non-stop from the battlefield to the US for the medical care they need,” said US Air Mobility Command commander General Arthur J. Lichte earlier this year, as he called for urgent decisions.

Air Force will have selection authority

Gates reopened the programme, which remains the Air Force's No. 1 acquisition priority, by pointing out that the KC-X selection authority would not remain within the Office of the Secretary of Defense but, rather, in the Air Force (USAF) headed by Air Force Secretary Michael Donley and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force. “The Air Force is pleased at today’s announcement and the confidence Secretary Gates is placing in the Air Force,” Donley said in a statement.

“The Air Force is looking forward to leading the KC-X acquisition program and working closely with the Office of the Secretary of Defense to a successful conclusion, thus providing the warfighter this critical capability for years to come,” Secretary Donley said.

Next steps

The next steps will include a new draft request for proposals (RFP) that will be quickly released and submitted to the bidders, being Northrop-Grumman/EADS and Boeing. According to Donley, now everything can proceed very fast: Final rules for the competition would follow later this year and a contract could be awarded in 2010, with first deliveries in 2015.

Competitors

Earlier this year, during the Paris Air Show, Boeing outlined its KC-7A7 solution based either on the 767 (which was already in competition in 2008) or the larger 777, respectively meeting the exact requirements of the Air Force.

In 2008, the US Defense Department and the Air Force gave preference to Northrop Grumman's KC-45 tanker because it was based on the larger KC-30 design. Northrop Grumman's KC-45 tanker can carry about 45,000 lbs more fuel than the current KC-135, while Boeing's KC-767 tanker would carry only slightly more fuel than the KC-135.

Thus, Boeing used the delay to revise its strategy for the pending US tanker bid and put the larger 777 platform into the race. The Boeing 777-based tanker is comparable in size to the Airbus A330, which is the basic airframe of Northrop Grumman’s KC-45, but delivers 54,000 lbs, or 23 per cent more fuel, a Boeing spokesman told defpro.com.

“If the Air Force wants a flexible wide-body tanker that is well-suited to operate in an austere, expeditionary environment, the Boeing 767-based tanker is a powerful and demonstrated solution. And if the Air Force values more fuel, cargo and passengers, the Boeing 777-based tanker offers superior capability,” noted Rick Lemaster, Boeing KC-X director and program manager.

Boeing’s 777 could, however, encounter problems of a different nature: the production of the military version could come into conflict with national security regulations. As the construction of military equipment must be conducted in secured settings, part of the production of the commercial and military aircraft would need to be carried out in separated buildings. Furthermore, according to various sources, several defence specialists doubt that Boeing will be able to redesign the project in such a short period.

While Boeing waits for the draft rules to decide on which platform to offer, the Northrop EADS team will stick to its A330-based KC-45 tanker. In a joint press statement, Northrop Grumman and EADS reaffirmed their commitment. “The KC-45 was previously selected because of its superior operational capability, lower risk and greater cost competitiveness. We have continued to strengthen our offering and look forward to working closely with the US Department of Defense and US Air Force to ensure that the upcoming competition will provide the warfighter with the most capable, best valued tanker available,” Ronald D. Sugar, chairman and CEO of Northrop Grumman and Louis Gallois, CEO of EADS, jointly stated.

“Northrop Grumman is pleased that a decision has been made and we are looking forward to competing and winning the tanker contract again,” said spokesman Randy Belote.

by Luca Bonsignore

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