I never understood why the Air Force has not expanded and modernize it fleet of KC-10. Especially in the last 15 years or so. The MD-11F is the newer and modernize version of the DC/KC-10. It is a little longer and bigger. They could have started slowly getting rid of the KC-135 sooner. http://www.Boeing.com/commercial/md-11family/
Even now they can bring MD-11F on board to replace the older KC-135. There is a need for interm tanker before KC-X comes on board . The rumblings now are that the KC-X will be awarded to EADS with the KC-45. This is due to the change in congress and foreign countries are taking deliveries with less problems then Boeing.
I think the MD-11F is a good stopgap measures that can expedite the replacing of KC-135 and modernize the the refueling fleet. There are many great things with the KC-135 as a refueler and had a chance to witness numerous refueling in it. I can not understand why the Air Force just did not come out with a request for a new aircraft based on the KC-135 airframe. However it is time to replace it, to include the E-3, joint star and other intelligence platforms using that air frame.
No comments:
Post a Comment