Protest & Issues Around the Air Force Refueling Tanker

KC-X is the first of three planned programs intended to recapitalise the Air Force’s air refuelling fleet. Eventually, the KC-X program is expected to acquire 179 new, commercial off-the-shelf airliners modified to accomplish air refuelling. The program is expected to cost $35 billion. Both Boeing and a consortium consisting of Northrop Grumman and European Aeronautic Deference and Space Company (EADS) competed for KC-X. Boeing offered a variant of the 767-200, while Northrop Grumman submitted a version of the Airbus 330-200. On February 29, 2008, the Air Force awards the KC-X contract to Northrop Grumman. The initial $12.1 billion KC-X contract covers purchase the first 68 KC-45s of the anticipated 179 aircraft. Boeing protested the Air Force’s decision to the Government Accountability Office (GAO). GAO upheld the Boeing protest, and in July, Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced that he would reopen the tanker competition. This book explains the protests and issues surrounding the Air Force refuelling tanker competition. This book consists of public documents which have been located, gathered, combined, reformatted, and enhanced with a subject index, selectively edited and bound to provide easy access.