Posted on 02/10/2011 6:03:46 PM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld
The Boeing Company today submitted its final proposal for the U.S. Air Force’s KC-X tanker competition. The proposal offers a fleet of Boeing NewGen Tankers -- 767-based, multi-mission aircraft that deliver superior capabilities to U.S. warfighters and burn 24 percent less fuel than the competing European Aeronautic Defence and Space (EADS) Company’s tanker. If selected, the Boeing tanker will save taxpayers tens of billions of dollars in fuel costs over the next 40 years and support 50,000 American jobs with more than 800 suppliers in more than 40 states.
“This decision is critical to America’s national security and its manufacturing base,” said Boeing Chairman, President and CEO Jim McNerney. “Our best-of-Boeing team has offered the most capable and fuel-efficient tanker that will enable the U.S. Air Force to continue serving as the world’s finest air refueling provider without breaking future defense budgets.”
“Our challenge is to replace the KC-135, one of the most valuable aircraft fleets in aviation history, and we responded to the U.S. Air Force’s requirements by proposing the best multi-mission airplane built by the most experienced people -- the NewGen Tanker,” said Dennis Muilenburg, president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security. “We have an integrated team that has spent the entire competition focusing on our customer and preparing to execute immediately after the contract is awarded. Boeing is ready to build America’s next tanker.”
(Excerpt) Read more at boeing.mediaroom.com ...
Why the 767 and not the 777 or 787?
The 777 is much larger than the 767. Way larger than the size limits put on the new tanker. And there is no way the 787 will have a military derivative for a long time to come. Plus the 767 Line in Everett needs the work
I think there are a couple reasons for the 767 vs. the other aircraft
1) the 767 design has been complete for years now (as per the agonizingly long process that this bid has taken), created before they designed the first variants of the 787. Furthermore, when the requests for bids came out, the 787 was still a couple years from being completed, so it probably didn’t fit well into what should have been a relatively short time frame... in hindsight, with all the delays, maybe it could have worked...
2) the 777 is a huge airplane, much bigger than a 767 and (I’m speculating) probably overkill for tanker operations.
3) along the lines of number 2, there is a requirement in the USAF requisition that the tanker be able to land on air strips that are pretty short, this would be difficult for a 777.
I suppose that’s true, but geez the 767 is twenty years old and they build about a dozen a year.
“I suppose that’s true, but geez the 767 is twenty years old and they build about a dozen a year.”
It’s almost 30 years since first flight and 40 since the design phase started. It’s somehow ‘vintage’.
I think the last time I flew on a 767 was about 15years ago. I am not sure when I have last seen one.
I see them almost every time I fly.
As of July 2010, 863 Boeing 767 aircraft were in airline service with 55 on order. Airline operators included Delta Air Lines (101), American Airlines (73), All Nippon Airways (60), Japan Airlines (49), ABX Air (38), Air Canada (47), UPS Airlines (37), United Airlines (35), and others with fewer aircraft.
I see them almost every time I fly.
What routes are they being used on?
I fly American, so I see they every time I go through one of the American gateways (Dallas, Chicago, LA). American uses them for international flights to Europe and domestically between the large markets (East to West coast).
The 767 looks very similar to the 777. I tell them apart by the number of wheel pairs on the main landing gear. The 767 has two pairs on each side, the 777, three.
Boeing 767
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Boeing 777
Well that explains why I haven’t seen them. I used to fly to DFW, LAX and ORD a lot 20 years ago. Now I am mainly on the east coast.
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