Wed, Mar 18, 2009
McNabb Adds KC-X Will Be "Game-Changer"... When It Finally
Arrives
Acquiring a new fleet of Air Force tankers, known as KC-X until
an airframe is chosen, is imperative, the commander of U.S.
Transportation Command told the Senate Armed Services Committee on
Tuesday. "My top priority remains the recapitalization of our aging
tanker fleet," Air Force Gen. Duncan J. McNabb told the senators.
"The KC-X will be a game-changer."
The aircraft, designed to be a refueler with cargo-carrying
capability, will revolutionize the mobility world the same way the
C-17 did for in-theater and strategic airlift, the general said.
"It will be the ultimate mobility force multiplier."
That is, when it finally gets out of the bidding process.
As ANN reported, the Air Force selected
Northrop Grumman/EADS for the tanker project last year, but rival
bidder Boeing protested the decision. Bidding was reopened after a
Government Accountability Office found flaws with the process...
but the process remains in limbo, with word the Obama
administration
may put off the decision due to budgetary
concerns.
McNabb also gave the senators an overview of Transcom's
responsibilities and operations. All told, he said, Transcom
aircrews fly 900 sorties per day.
He also praised the performance of the C-130J and C-17
airlifters. The airframes "have come of age since 9/11 and have
allowed us to change how we support the combatant commanders by
air," he said. "The current C-5, C-130 and KC-10 modernization
programs will make an enormous difference in our capability and
reliability."
(Aero-News thanks Jim Garamone, American Forces Press
Service)
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