The Air Force this week issued answers to nine questions on its draft KC-X tanker request for proposals released Sept. 24. Industry responders—read that Boeing and Northrop Grumman—have about 30 days left of their allotted 60 days to review and question the draft RFP before USAF issues the final RFP. Among the nine questions: Why did the Air Force increase the refueling boom flow rate? The Air Force responded: “The requirement was and still is 1,200 GPM. In the previous source selection this was a tradeable requirement and any value less than 1,200 GPM could have been offered and received partial credit.” (All nine questions and answers posted Oct. 19)
The Air Force and Boeing agreed to a nearly $2.4 billion contract for a new lot of KC-46 aerial tankers on Nov. 21. The deal, announced by the Pentagon, is for 15 new aircraft in Lot 11 at a cost of $2.389 billion—some $159 million per tail.