DoD Cancels Tanker Competition

Jeff Higgins · 09-10-2008, 12:11 PM

Well, it looks like the Department of Defense has now cancelled the competition for the new airborne tanker. The Air Force has so thoroughly bungled this one, they finally threw their hands up in dismay.

Announcement from the DoD:

Today, the Department of Defense notified the Congress and the two competing contractors, Boeing and Northrop Grumman, that it is terminating the current competition for a U.S. Air Force airborne tanker replacement.

Secretary Gates, in consultation with senior Defense and Air Force officials, has determined that the solicitation and award cannot be accomplished by January. Rather than hand the next Administration an incomplete and possibly contested process, Secretary Gates decided that the best course of action is to provide the next Administration with full flexibility regarding the requirements, evaluation criteria and the appropriate allocation of defense budget to this mission.

Secretary Gates stated, "Over the past seven years the process has become enormously complex and emotional – in no small part because of mistakes and missteps along the way by the Department of Defense. It is my judgment that in the time remaining to us, we can no longer complete a competition that would be viewed as fair and objective in this highly charged environment. The resulting ‘cooling off’ period will allow the next Administration to review objectively the military requirements and craft a new acquisition strategy for the KC-X."

In making this decision, it was concluded that the current KC-135 fleet can be adequately maintained to satisfy Air Force missions for the near future. Sufficient funds will be recommended in the FY09 and follow-on budgets to maintain the KC-135 at high-mission capable rates. In addition, the Department will recommend to the Congress the disposition of the pending FY09 funding for the tanker program and plans to continue funding the KC-X program in the FY10 to FY15 budget presently under review.

rouxroux · 09-10-2008, 12:23 PM

Why is there no mention of the KC-10 along with the 135? Are they not still operational as well? I don't remember hearing anything bad about them except the one the one that burned here @ BAFB in the late 80's. We used to have a refueling wing with them here, but all we've got based here is B-52's and A-10's now.

onewhippedpuppy · 09-10-2008, 01:15 PM

Sounds like a prudent choice. Hopefully the next proposal and bid will go smoothly, and Boeing will manage to win the contract with a superior design.

Seahawk · 09-10-2008, 01:35 PM

The Air Force acquisition corp could f'up a two stick fire.

If they could find a match.

island_dude · 09-10-2008, 02:35 PM

Boeing had a superior design? Are you serious? They didn't even fly their design -- Strictly paper. Sure the 767 flys, but that isn't the system. The whole history of this procurement has been pretty sad. Boeing was once a great company, not so any more. Their space systems folks have not done us proud.

Dave Nordhoff · 09-10-2008, 03:30 PM

Boeing had a superior design? Are you serious? They didn't even fly their design -- Strictly paper. Sure the 767 flys, but that isn't the system. The whole history of this procurement has been pretty sad. Boeing was once a great company, not so any more. Their space systems folks have not done us proud.

They are flying something pretty close to it.

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 19, 2008 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today delivered the first Japan KC-767 Tanker to the Itochu Corp., for Japan's Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF). It is the first aerial refueling aircraft in Japan's history.

"The KC-767 will have an immediate impact and significantly increase Japan's capabilities," said Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems. "This delivery also confirms Boeing's standing as the world's leading provider of aerial refueling tankers and continues our company's proud 75-year history of producing tankers."

The 12-hour non-stop flight to Gifu, Japan, near Nagoya, originated in Wichita, Kan., near Boeing's tanker modification center, following a final review by Japan Ministry of Defense (MoD) Air Staff. Itochu will deliver the KC-767 Tanker to the MoD following in-country acceptance processes.

Japan has ordered four convertible freighter 767s, providing flexibility in carrying cargo or passengers while maintaining its primary role as an aerial refueling tanker. It features Boeing's advanced aerial refueling boom and Remote Aerial Refueling Operator (RARO II) system. Boeing will deliver the second Japan tanker immediately following acceptance of this first Japan delivery.

Additionally, Boeing is building four tankers for Italy with delivery of the first two aircraft planned in 2008. The KC-767 also is Boeing's offering in the U.S. Air Force's KC-X competition for its next-generation tanker aircraft. Since the 1930s, Boeing has built and delivered more than 2,000 tankers that feature the world's most advanced aerial refueling method with the highest fuel transfer rate available.

Superman · 09-10-2008, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by island_dude

Boeing was once a great company, not so any more.

As you all know, I am typically ready to debate with anybody. I especially enjoy our chats here because a few of you are kinda smart. Insightful. I don't always agree with posts I read and when I don't agree, I feel inclined to offer my remarks. But occasionally I see a comment that leads me to the conclusion that the poster is probably to out of touch to participate in a meaningful dialogue, and I let it go. This is one of those comments.

HardDrive · 09-10-2008, 06:33 PM

I realize there would be increased long term parts costs, but is there some reason they can't award the contract to both companys? Just force the companys to use the same avionics and engines. Let them build the airframe as they see fit.

Our current tankers are damn old at this point.....

tcar · 09-10-2008, 06:49 PM

Wasn't the Northrup Grumman entry actually an Airbus?

It bothers me that a US military aircraft would be foreign.

Since found out that many C Guard copters are French.

djmcmath · 09-11-2008, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

The resulting ‘cooling off’ period will allow the next Administration to review objectively the military requirements and craft a new acquisition strategy for the KC-X."
[/i]

This bit stuck out to me. It's like he's saying, in other words, "We've done a lot of work figuring out what needs to be done -- the requirements and crafting of strategy. But we're going to take that work with us when we leave, so the next sorry bastages who get our jobs will have to start over from scratch on this thing. hahahahaha."

Dan

island_dude · 09-11-2008, 02:25 AM

Sup, I stand by my statement. Boeing space systems (obviously not the sector involved in the tanker procurement) has dropped the ball on several programs. This isn't a matter of over runs every satellite and launch system seems to have that problem. I am talking about hard core failure to deliver anything after years of delays and demands for ECPs. They have lost their way and need to rethink their business model.

MFAFF · 09-11-2008, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Nordhoff

Boeing had a superior design? Are you serious? They didn't even fly their design -- Strictly paper. Sure the 767 flys, but that isn't the system. The whole history of this procurement has been pretty sad. Boeing was once a great company, not so any more. Their space systems folks have not done us proud.

They are flying something pretty close to it.

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 19, 2008 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today delivered the first Japan KC-767 Tanker to the Itochu Corp., for Japan's Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF). It is the first aerial refueling aircraft in Japan's history.

"The KC-767 will have an immediate impact and significantly increase Japan's capabilities," said Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems. "This delivery also confirms Boeing's standing as the world's leading provider of aerial refueling tankers and continues our company's proud 75-year history of producing tankers."

The 12-hour non-stop flight to Gifu, Japan, near Nagoya, originated in Wichita, Kan., near Boeing's tanker modification center, following a final review by Japan Ministry of Defense (MoD) Air Staff. Itochu will deliver the KC-767 Tanker to the MoD following in-country acceptance processes.

Japan has ordered four convertible freighter 767s, providing flexibility in carrying cargo or passengers while maintaining its primary role as an aerial refueling tanker. It features Boeing's advanced aerial refueling boom and Remote Aerial Refueling Operator (RARO II) system. Boeing will deliver the second Japan tanker immediately following acceptance of this first Japan delivery.

Additionally, Boeing is building four tankers for Italy with delivery of the first two aircraft planned in 2008. The KC-767 also is Boeing's offering in the U.S. Air Force's KC-X competition for its next-generation tanker aircraft. Since the 1930s, Boeing has built and delivered more than 2,000 tankers that feature the world's most advanced aerial refueling method with the highest fuel transfer rate available.

Pretty close but still a different beast than the one being proposed, this mates the fuselage of one version with the wings of another and a bespoke fuel system. The fuselage/ wing mix in not new in this sector...just this particular mix has not been done before and the fuel system again for a tanker is not a surprising issue.

On the other hand the NG/EADS proposal does have a much closer link to the in- service KC-330 (RAAF).
The main difference in the NG bid is that the USAF versions would be based on the freighter fuselage rather than the pax one (so no windows plus load floor as built) which has been converted to freighter spec. The fuel system is the same (including the boom).

Both potential tankers offer a massive increase in capability over the existing 135s...and are knocking on the 10s door.

But its a shame that the users will be obliged to continue using maintenace intensive airframes at a time of high tempo operations in challenging conditions when there are alternatives avaliable..

Jim Richards · 09-11-2008, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seahawk

The Air Force acquisition corp could f'up a two stick fire.

If they could find a match.

It sure does look that way.

How 'bout the news that the DoI and the oil companies have been playing fast and loose? IMO, the gov't agencies have lost their way.