Revenue Stream To Help Offset Cost Of The New Tanker

ANN April 1 Special Coverage

Sequestration has the Pentagon scrambling for cash in an effort to assure readiness in its ranks, and Air Force Officials announced today that the KC-46A under development by Boeing will be assigned to re-fuel airliners on extra-long-haul routes.

In a contract reached with several of the nation's major airlines, Boeing-built airliners will be retrofitted with receivers that will allow them to be refueled in flight. A Pentagon insider not authorized to speak to the media said that with the sequestration cuts going into full effect today, it was necessary to come up with a way to generate revenue to provide for the national defense. "A lot of the pilots flying airliners have come out of the military, so an in-flight refueling will be no big deal for them," the source said. "It will allow the airlines to fly smaller, more efficient planes completely packed with fares on longer routes. It may sound crazy, but the math actually works."

The source added that the contract will also allow KC-46A crews to stay current, which is essential to readiness. "There's nothing like the real thing when it comes to in-flight refueling. You just can't stay sharp in a sim. So this way, airlines can maximize revenue potential and our warfighters can stay sharp. It's a win-win."

Gulfstream and Cessna are also considering applying for STC authorization to configure their larger bizjets to be refueled in flight as well. "A lot of the people flying our planes always wanted to be fighter pilots, but didn't have the opportunity," a Cessna spokesman said under the condition on anonymity. "This will give them a military-style experience that they might not otherwise be able to have."

FMI: www.af.mil