KC-X RDT&E
Abstract
To recapitalize the aging KC-135 fleet of aerial refueling aircraft, the Air Force considered data from an Analysis of Alternatives (AoA), along with industry input that was provided in response to both a Request for Information and two draft Requests for Proposal. Based on this information, the Air Force concluded that a strategy of full and open competition to select a commercial derivative replacement tanker aircraft would result in a best value tanker contract. The resulting KC-X source selection culminated in a 29 Feb 08 contract award to Northrop Grumman to develop and produce a tanker based on the A330-200. On 13 Mar 08, the Air Force issued a stop-work order to that contract in response to a protest filed by Boeing. On 18 Jun 08, the GAO sustained portions of that protest. On 10 Sep 08, SECDEF announced termination of the KC-X competition. On 6 Apr 09, SECDEF decided to proceed with a new competition. The FY11 PB restructures the KC-X budget to account for the fact-of-life delays for the recompetition and planned summer 2010 contract award. The Air Force needs to replace its aging KC-135 tankers, which have an average age of 49 years. Replacement of the legacy fleet will take place in three stages, known as the KC-X, the KC-Y, and the KC-Z. The initial KC-X increment will replace roughly a third of the current capability with the purchase of 179 aircraft. The KC-X will be able to provide fuel to joint and coalition receivers via a boom or drogue system on every mission and will also augment the airlift fleet with cargo, passenger and medical evacuation capabilities. The KC-X will be able to operate in day/night and adverse weather conditions to enable deployment, employment, sustainment and redeployment of U.S. joint, allied and coalition forces. The KC-X will have communication, navigation and surveillance equipment for world-wide operations; will have the capability to perform missions in chemical and biological environments; will have the capability to operate in low-to-medium threat areas and near-high threat areas with self-defense/protection (both active and passive) capabilities; and will have necessary battle space awareness to mitigate survivability threats. The KC-X development effort will also procure the necessary ground and flight test assets to support developmental/operational test. The program plans to procure four RDT&E aircraft for integration and demonstration of capability that will ultimately be operationally fielded after a successful operational test phase. In addition, both aircrew and maintenance Training System Requirements Analyses (TSRA) will be conducted to determine training requirements. Aircrew and Maintenance training systems will be developed and procured via a future trainer-specific source selection, using KC-X funding. A Business Case Analysis will also be conducted to determine if the engines for the production aircraft will be Government Furnished or Contractor Furnished. Initial training and sustainment efforts will be provided via Interim Contractor Support (ICS). KC-X funding will also support various studies and analyses including the five-nation Future Technology and Aerial Refueling (FTAR) project, and KC-Y/KC-Z planning activities.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2011
- Source ID
- 655271_0605221F_5_3600_PB_2011
Related Documents
- Root: KC-X, Next Generation Aerial Refueling Aircraft
- Child Accomplishment: MAJOR THRUST: To begin recapitalizing the aging KC-135 fleet
- Child Cost Item: 0fcf5cf27cf893c133c2bd35d37c21ba
- Child Cost Item: 026db03d06cbd6aa16ccd18f39aff54c
- Child Cost Item: e7337c1b67d4cf94eb12013650db4972
- Child Cost Item: 4d5b15d9a22c941bf190b48e85960dca
- Child Cost Item: 8025643e1f14c4e80514a367c82562f2