Airbus Consortium Gets Bid In A Day Before Deadline

EADS North America submitted its proposal in the United States Air Force KC-X aerial refueling tanker competition Thursday, a day ahead of the July 9 deadline. The 8,800+ page proposal details the unequalled capabilities of the EADS KC-45. “We’re proud of our offering, which is the only one in this competition that is flying and refueling the full array of receiver aircraft,” said EADS North America Chairman Ralph Crosby. “The U.S. Air Force will select the tanker that best meets the American warfighters’ requirements. We are anxious to conclude the acquisition process and are confident in the superior capabilities of the KC-45.”

A330 MRTT Tanker File Photo

The KC-45, based on the commercially successful A330, will be assembled in a new manufacturing facility to be built in Mobile, Alabama, which will also produce Airbus commercial freighter aircraft – more than doubling the aircraft production that the tanker alone would bring. The KC-45 will also create and support jobs across a supplier base of more than 200 American companies.

Along with prime contractor EADS North America, the KC-45 industry supplier team includes many trusted providers of equipment and services for America’s warfighters, including:

• EATON (actuators, valves and other systems)
• GE Aviation (engines and systems)
• Goodrich Corporation (varied aircraft systems)
• Hamilton Sundstrand (generators, turbines and related systems)
• Honeywell (communications and navigation systems and other aircraft components)
• Moog Inc. (flight control systems)
• Parker Aerospace (aerial refueling receptacles, hydraulic system equipment, fluid conveyance products and fuel components)
• Rockwell Collins (electronics)
• Triumph Aerostructures - Vought Aircraft Division (wing structures)

A330 MRTT Tanker File Photo

The reliability and performance of the KC-45 and its refueling systems has been validated by over 1,000 boom/hose-and-drogue contacts and refuelings involving a wide range of aircraft, including F-16 and F/A-18 fighters, E-3 AWACS and other A330 tankers. The KC-45 is the U.S. Air Force configuration of the Airbus Military A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport, which has been selected by four allied nations..

FMI: www.kc-45now.com