Sunday, June 26, 2022
  • About us
    • Write for us
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms of use
    • Privacy Policy
  • RSS Feeds
  • Advertise with us
  • Contact us
DefenceTalk
  • Home
  • Defense News
    • Defense & Geopolitics News
    • War Conflicts News
    • Army News
    • Air Force News
    • Navy News
    • Missiles Systems News
    • Nuclear Weapons
    • Defense Technology
    • Cybersecurity News
  • Military Photos
  • Defense Forum
  • Military Videos
  • Military Weapon Systems
    • Weapon Systems
    • Reports
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Defense News
    • Defense & Geopolitics News
    • War Conflicts News
    • Army News
    • Air Force News
    • Navy News
    • Missiles Systems News
    • Nuclear Weapons
    • Defense Technology
    • Cybersecurity News
  • Military Photos
  • Defense Forum
  • Military Videos
  • Military Weapon Systems
    • Weapon Systems
    • Reports
No Result
View All Result
DefenceTalk
No Result
View All Result

Air Force Increases Projected KC-46 Flying Hours, Crew Ratio

by Air Force News Agency
February 7, 2013
in Air Force News
2 min read
0
Air Force Announces KC-46A Tanker Contract Award
14
VIEWS

The Air Force has increased planned life-cycle flying hours and aircrews assigned to the new KC-46A refueling tanker to make optimal use of the commercially-proven aircraft’s fuel efficiency, cargo and aeromedical evacuation capabilities.

Compared to the Eisenhower-era KC-135 Stratotanker, the KC-46 is projected to have improved fuel efficiency, a greater fuel capacity, and much more cargo, passenger and aero-medical capability, said Maj. Gen. John Thompson, the Tanker Program executive officer and KC-46 program director.

The new aircraft is a derivative of the Boeing 767 and commercial-derivatives are typically more dependable and less expensive to maintain than military-only aircraft.

Air Force leaders re-evaluated previous usage estimates, based on KC-135 averages, and decided these changes were appropriate to better utilize the full potential of the KC-46.

They decided an increase of 2.5 to 3.5 aircrews assigned per KC-46 was necessary to facilitate surge capabilities and to meet contingency operations requirements per the 2012 Defense Strategy. Overall, the increase will add approximately 60 total aircrews to the force and allow the Air Force to fly more missions using the KC-46.

Decisions also include the basing strategy of the KC-46 with an increased focus on “total force associations.” Basically, active-duty and reserve units will share aircraft allowing the KC-46 utilization rates to be much higher than current KC-135 rates.

Air Force leaders informed Congress of the increased flying hours due to the basing strategy and concept of operations changes along with the anticipated 11.2 percent future cost growth in the estimated operations and support costs due to increased usage.

The KC-46A is the service’s first step to replace its aging air refueling fleet. It will provide enhanced refueling capability and increased cargo and aero-medical evacuation capacity. The first 18 aircraft are slated to be delivered by August 2017.

The total operations and support costs are now predicted to be approximately $103 billion, but there is no increase in acquisition cost. Leaders stress the increase to operations and support is because this aircraft will be used more often and more effectively than current aircraft – not because it’s more expensive to operate.

“It’s completely a result of the basing and (concept of operations) changes and is in no way reflecting increased costs to operate the aircraft. We’re just flying it more,” Thompson said.

The Air Force is not planning to increase its budget, he said. “The increased KC-46 costs will be repurposed out of manpower and resources that were meant for the KC-135 Stratotanker.”

Tags: aerial refuelingair forcecostKC-46refuelingtankerTanker Aircraft
Previous Post

AERO INDIA 2013: Russian Focus on Aircraft, Air Defense

Next Post

New Waterjets Could Propel LCS to Greater Speeds

Related Posts

Norway scraps deal for NH90 military helicopters

Norway scraps deal for NH90 military helicopters

June 10, 2022

Norway cancelled a contract Friday for 14 NH90 military transport helicopters from a European consortium that includes Airbus, citing delivery...

MV-22B Osprey

Five dead in US military aircraft crash

June 10, 2022

All five Marines on board a US military aircraft that crashed in southern California were confirmed dead on Thursday. Their...

Next Post
Navy Conducts First Successful Structural Test Firing for LCS Gun

New Waterjets Could Propel LCS to Greater Speeds

Latest Defense News

Kyiv says US precision artillery systems arrived in Ukraine

Kyiv says US precision artillery systems arrived in Ukraine

June 24, 2022
US Navy Kicks Off ICEX 2020

Russia and China eye NATO’s ‘Arctic Achilles heel’

June 24, 2022
Defense, Energy Experts Aid China’s Nuclear Security

Russian gas threat revives German nuclear power debate

June 23, 2022
AI Improves Robotic Performance in DARPA’s Machine Common Sense Program

AI Improves Robotic Performance in DARPA’s Machine Common Sense Program

June 23, 2022
Russia deploys most advanced air defences at army drills

Estonia accuses Russia of ‘escalatory’ actions

June 23, 2022
US, Morocco launch vast military exercise

US, Morocco launch vast military exercise

June 23, 2022

Defense Forum Discussions

  • The Russian-Ukrainian War Thread
  • Australian Army Discussions and Updates
  • Russian Navy Discussions and Updates
  • NZDF General discussion thread
  • Russia and the West
  • Royal Netherlands Navy
  • Royal New Zealand Air Force
  • Royal Australian Navy Discussions and Updates 2.0
  • Philippine Navy Discussion and Updates
  • Royal New Zealand Navy Discussions and Updates
DefenceTalk

© 2003-2020 DefenceTalk.com

Navigate Site

  • Defence Forum
  • Military Photos
  • RSS Feeds
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Contact us

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Defense News
    • Defense & Geopolitics News
    • War Conflicts News
    • Army News
    • Air Force News
    • Navy News
    • Missiles Systems News
    • Nuclear Weapons
    • Defense Technology
    • Cybersecurity News
  • Military Photos
  • Defense Forum
  • Military Videos
  • Military Weapon Systems
    • Weapon Systems
    • Reports

© 2003-2020 DefenceTalk.com