Page 30 - Combat Aircraft (January 2020)

TYPE REPORT // BOEING KC-46

For now, the KC-46 has marched
forwards into its initial operational test
and evaluation (IOT&E) phase, designed
to establish whether the aircraft can
meet air force requirements. A statement
from the USAF said, ‘IOT&E will test the
KC-46’s e ectiveness, suitability, and
mission capability toward accomplishing
its three primary mission sets: aerial
refueling, cargo/passenger operations,
and aeromedical evacuation.’ It added,
‘The air force continues to test the new
from seven air forces would also highlight were allegedly altered to favor the Boeing weapon system, while Boeing corrects
the capabilities of their operationally aircraft in the re-run of the contest. That identi ed de ciencies in parallel, as the
deployed and combat-proven A330s, adjustment of yardsticks in turn resulted most expeditious means of achieving full
while o cers from 15 more air forces in Northrop Grumman withdrawing from operational capability.’
would doubtless be able to explain why the bidding process, complaining that the Boeing says it is working to introduce
their nations had now also selected the new criteria had been skewed towards incremental improvements to correct the
Airbus tanker, and why they were now Boeing’s o ering. But even after Northrop’s problems that have been highlighted. It
looking forward to receiving the type. withdrawal, Airbus stood ready to o er plans to retro t a secondary set of locks
They would tell of a tanker that carries the aircraft to the USAF, and to build it in in the hold to address the cargo restraint
more fuel than a KC-46, more freight and Mobile, Alabama. Above: A KC-46A concerns, and an upgrade to the RVS
more passengers, and that can safely The House Armed Services Committee Pegasus makes will automatically adjust contrast and
operate from shorter runways. If they were certainly sees alternatives to the KC-46. its fi nal approach resolution in di cult lighting conditions.
being mean they might even contrast the In its Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense to McConnell The latter is said to be in a preliminary
AFB, Kansas,
relatively untroubled development of the Authorization Act it stated, ‘The Secretary where operational design phase.
A330 MRTT with the litany of misfortunes of the Air Force has several viable options testing is now The USAF has elected to begin the
that have befallen the Boeing tanker. to ensure future tanker capability, to under way. USAF/ IOT&E process and to get the ball rolling
SrA Skyler Combs
And even outside the current A330 include acquiring a non-developmental by scheduling tests that don’t involve
MRTT operators’ community, there are commercial derivative tanker.’ Top: The offi cial either air refueling or cargo transport.
many in the US who say they know exactly There are options, in other words. There ceremony In the background, it continues to work
marking the
why that aircraft was originally selected is an alternative that is arguably a better arrival of the fi rst hard to correct the serious de ciencies
by the USAF as the KC-45A, to meet tanker for the USAF, and that would KC-46A for ‘Team that have plagued this aircraft, so the
the KC-X requirement. That was before support just as many US jobs. But it would McConnell’ on air force can eld an aircraft that truly
January 25, 2019.
Boeing protested the contract award not be a Boeing tanker, and that, perhaps, USAF/TSgt makes the grade as a suitable successor
to Airbus, of course, and before criteria makes it unacceptable. Abigail Klein to the KC-135.

30 January 2020 // www.Key.Aero

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