Air Force Air Refueling: The KC-X Aircraft Acquisition Program

Abstract

KC-X is the first of three planned programs intended to recapitalize the Air Force's air refueling fleet. Eventually, the KC-X program is expected to acquire 179 new, commercial off-the-shelf airliners modified to accomplish air refueling. The program is expected to cost approximately $35 billion. Both Boeing and a consortium consisting of Northrop Grumman and European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company (EADS) the parent company of Airbus were in competition for KC-X. Boeing offered a variant of the 767-200, while Northrop Grumman submitted a version of the Airbus 330-200. On February 29, 2008, the Air Force awarded the KC-X contract to Northrop Grumman. The initial $12.1 billion KC-X contract provides for the purchase the first 68 KC-45s of the anticipated 179 aircraft. On March 11, 2008, Boeing protested the Air Force's decision to the Government Accountability Office (GAO). GAO has 100 days to evaluate the protest.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 04, 2008
Accession Number
ADA480721

Entities

People

  • Christopher Bolkcom
  • William Knight

Organizations

  • Library of Congress

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Mobility Operations
  • Aircraft Equipment
  • Aircraft Industry
  • Aircrafts
  • Airframes
  • Commercial Aircraft
  • Logistics
  • Military Aircraft
  • National Security
  • Refueling In Flight
  • Tanker Aircraft
  • Transport Aircraft
  • United States Transportation Command
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Aerospace logistics and air mobility.
  • Government Contracting/Procurement.
  • Naval Engineering and Maritime Security

Technology Areas

  • Space