While the fiftieth Pegasus is near, the USAF searches for more tankers
On 16 June 2021, USAF's Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) issued a Sources Sought Notice (SSN) for the "Bridge Tanker" Programme to determine the number of qualified, interested companies capable of providing solutions for the planned, non-developmental tanker recapitalisation programme.
An SSN is used by the US government to solicit interest in a project under consideration by, for instance, the USAF. Also, on 16 June, the 46th Boeing KC-46A Pegasus was delivered to the USAF. The latter is now based with Seymour Johnson's 916th Air Refueling Wing.
The USAF plans to release the final Request For Proposal (RFP) by the end of 2022. The Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker will be 70 years old when the USAF expects to receive its last Pegasus delivery in 2029.
With a new non-developmental tanker programme in mind, Boeing and Airbus could compete again for the USAF tanker modernisation. Earlier a version of the Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT), called the Airbus/EADS (North America)/Northrop Grumman KC-45, was proposed to the USAF for its KC-135/KC-10 tanker replacement "KC-Y" programme and selected. After Boeing's protest the programme was impaired and eventually cancelled.
The current existing Boeing KC-46A firm-fixed price contracts are limited to 13 production lots, with the last planned procurement in 2027 and delivered in 2029. As a commercial derivative aircraft, the "Bridge Tanker" will be based on existing and emerging technologies with a full and open acquisition competition.
To be continued.
Images: Airbus/EADS (North America)