“Since the Airbus airplane is further along they got the rules changed to favor their existing airplane and didn’t optimize it to meet the RFP.”
The rules were not changed.
“Holding tight time constraints favors the more developed product. But that product by definition is less tailored to your requirements.”
There are tight time constraints because the existing fleet is falling apart.
“So the Boeing plane incorporated more features that the Air force asked for (survivability, cargo floor etc.)”
Survivability is a moot point since neither plane will be flying over the FEBA, and both planes would be outfitted with the same exact countermeasures and other “survivability” devices per Air Force requirements. The cargo floor is also a moot point since the KC-45 is based on the A330F airframe.
“The differecne in time frame can easily be made up in a faster ramp up. 12 airplanes a year instead of 9.”
And the contract requires 15+ per year, and Boeing can barely deliver 8 less capable tankers in a 10 year span.
“Did you happen to notice the first flight of the 777F. That is a similar scope to the airframe portion of the 767 tanker modifications. New cargo door, no windows (does the A330 have windows, why?) stronger cargo floor, gross weight change. All done on schedule.”
The A330 has windows because it’s an airliner that carries passengers.
The A330F on the other hand can come with or without windows since they can be converted to carry passengers or freight or a combination there of. It all depends on what the customer specifies.
The RAAF specified that their KC-30MRTT has windows.
The KC-45 will not have windows.
Maintenance and support is not the same as BUILDING tankers
and if you do not have Maintenance and support who are you going to call when a problem comes up and they do.
1-800-dial a frog
False? Yes YOU are. The A330 line in europe is being replaced with the A350. In order for that to happen the A330 line has to move, and it IS moving HERE.
NO ITS NOT read the news. more eads pr lotion.
http://www.tonymarini.com/?p=100
and there are more true facts about eads pr crap.
it will be assembles. not built ASSEMBLED.