News Review: KC-X program - EADS to tender again | ADM Jun 2010

1 June 2010

EADS North America announced in April that will after all submit a bid on July 9 for the US Air Force's KC-X tanker modernisation program and will offer the KC-45, which won the previous USAF KC-X tender.

The company in discussions with potential US partners to build a winning team in order to provide the most capable, best value solution to the USAF.

The KC-45 is the only aircraft flying today that meets the Air Force's tanker requirements as outlined in its KC-X Request for Proposal (RFP).

The KC-45 is based on the Airbus A330-200 and builds on the tanker design that was previously selected in 2008 by the Department of Defense and that has won the last five consecutive tanker competitions worldwide.

A variant, the KC-30A Multi-role Tanker Transport (MRTT) is currently completing flight testing and certification in Spain before delivery to the RAAF at the end of the year.

EADS North America will build and modify the KC-45, along with A330 commercial freighters, at an EADS North America/Airbus production facility to be constructed in Mobile, Alabama.

To date, the MRTT has transferred more than 265,000 lbs. of fuel to a range of military aircraft - from F-16 and F/A-18 fighters to the E-3 AWACS - using the same refueling systems offered on the KC-45.