KC-X Tanker Modernization Program


(Source: Federal Business Opportunities; issued Sept. 25, 2009)




Third time lucky? The US Air Force has launched its third attempt to buy new tanker aircraft to replace its fleet of ageing KC-135s. (USAF photo)The purpose of this notice is to provide industry with a Draft Request for Proposal (DRFP) for the KC-X Tanker Modernization Program. Documents associated with this DRFP are attached.

REQUIREMENT

The Air Force presently operates a nearly 50-year old fleet of KC-135 aerial refueling tanker aircraft which requires replacement. The KC-X tanker modernization program is the first step in this process.

Key performance capabilities to be provided by the KC-X include:
(1) aerial refueling of all current and programmed fixed-wing receiver aircraft;
(2) range payload at least as good as the KC-135R;
(3) same sortie boom and drogue capability as well as simultaneous drogue, multi-point refueling capability;
(4) tanker receiver capability to enhance KC-X fleet effectiveness;
(5) airlift capability to carry palletized cargo, passengers, and/or medical patients on the entire main cargo deck,
(6) the ability to operate anywhere, anytime with global communication, navigation, and air traffic management;
(7) survivability features allowing operation in low to medium threat environments including: detection and defeat of infrared missiles, covert lighting to enable refueling in hostile airspace, and electro-magnetic hardening to protect the aircrew and aircraft;
(8) crew and passenger protection from chemical and biological environments; and
(9) net centric information exchange with joint services.

The primary KC-X mission is to provide aerial refueling support to joint and allied forces engaged in homeland defense, global air-bridge deployments and theater conflicts. The KC-X will also augment existing transport aircraft by providing an enduring cargo capability for sustained materiel, passenger, medical/humanitarian aid transportation.

ACQUISITION STRATEGY

This procurement will be conducted in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 15, as supplemented. As the initial phase of a comprehensive aerial refueling recapitalization strategy, the KC-X Program will begin replacement of the warfighting capability provided by the current aerial refueling fleet.

This program will develop and acquire up to 179 modern aerial refueling tanker aircraft based on existing commercial aircraft designs; a production rate targeted at 15 aircraft per year is anticipated. Five years of interim contractor support will also be procured in support of the long term goal of standing up a completely organic government repair capability.

The contractor will ensure the aircraft acquired, including integrated military systems, are certified as flight worthy by the FAA (or foreign equivalent) during the Engineering and Manufacturing Development phase of the program.

GENERAL INFORMATION

The KC-X DRFP is attached. Written questions and comments from all interested parties regarding any section of the DRFP are due at the address above (hard copy) and an electronic version should be sent to: 836AESG.KC-XRFP6600@wpafb.af.mil not later than 4PM EDT 26 October 2009.

All questions and comments will be considered for possible incorporation into a subsequent draft and/or final RFP. We will only review feedback in the form of written questions or comments. We will post responses to questions and comments on the FedBizOpps website. No response will be provided to any question or comment with proprietary or restrictive markings.

This pre-solicitation announcement is not to be construed as a formal solicitation (Invitation for Bid (IFB) or a Request for Proposal (RFP)). The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this notice. This notice is for information and planning purposes only.

The Government will not provide reimbursement of costs associated with any documentation or communication submitted in response to this notice. Any submitted documentation, upon delivery, becomes the property of the U.S. Government and will not be returned. Questions or comments to this notice should be addressed to the Contracting Officer.

Before a KC-X Request for Proposal is released, a Notice of Contract Action will be published at least 15 days prior to such release.

https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=713bc6e87f1a76db2c2b20a4bee1e8a5&tab=core&_cview=0&cck=1&au=&ck=

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/article-view/release/108482/us-air-force-releases-draft-rfp-for-kc_x-tanker-competition.html#


Thunder Supports Rafale
http://rafale.freeforums.org
http://rafale.freeforums.org/rafale-vs-f-16-aerodynamics-compared-t69.html

WAFF syndrome explained:

= A pathological liar is someone who often embellishes his or her stories in a way that he or she believes will impress people.

= In psychology, mythomania (also known as pseudologia fantastica or pathological lying) is a condition involving compulsive lying by a person with no obvious motivation.
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Obama as a good Democrat supported Boeing.



When I was young I used to pray for a bike, then I realized that God doesn't work that way, so I stole a bike and prayed for forgiveness.

May the best plane win. Airbus still holds the price advantage due to illegal practices, but reality speaks for itself and half the parts coming from Boeing's proposal has less American work share than the Northrop-Airbus offer.

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I like that Boeing may offer the 777 afterall. I think they should have done this originally.


The truth is out there - you just may not like hearing it.

I've supported the KC-30 offering from the start and if it wasn't for Boeing throwing a classic 4-year old's hissy fit after the first competition we'd by a whole lot closer to seeing some new tankers.


It's monetarily idiotic but I think we'll wind up with a split buy of some sort.....some KC-30s and some KC-767s....but it's politically acceptable all around.

But, the tanker replacement program is comprised of three phases..........KC-X, KC-Y, and KC-Z. We might see something else a little more creative (financially or politically) before it's all done.

Have Six of these babies