LMXT exit: Lockheed to skip KC-135 recap race, focus on next gen tanker

LMXT exit: Lockheed to skip KC-135 recap race, focus on next gen tanker
LMXT exit: Lockheed to skip KC-135 recap race, focus on next gen tanker

The surprise withdrawal of the aerospace giant could give Boeing a leg up as the Air Force moves toward a contract award for a new fleet of refuelers, analysts told Breaking Defense.

Air Force acquisition chief on tanker plans and negotiations with Boeing

Air Force acquisition chief on tanker plans and negotiations with Boeing
Air Force acquisition chief on tanker plans and negotiations with Boeing

“We just kind of need to get their no-kidding ground truth of, ‘this is what we think we can deliver and when we think we can deliver it,'” Andrew Hunter, the service’s acquisition chief, said in a Sept. 5 interview at the Pentagon. 

RFI for next round of Air Force tanker buy projected for end of September: USAF official

RFI for next round of Air Force tanker buy projected for end of September: USAF official
RFI for next round of Air Force tanker buy projected for end of September: USAF official

“I think what you’re hearing from individuals like Hon. Hunter and Hon. Kendall is a recognition that the requirements that went into the JCIDS process are not revolutionary,” said Scott Boyd, Air Force deputy program manager for mobility aircraft.

Lockheed picks GE engine to power LMXT tanker

Lockheed picks GE engine to power LMXT tanker
Lockheed picks GE engine to power LMXT tanker

Lockheed’s selection of GE Aerospace’s CF6 engines comes as the Air Force weighs sole-sourcing a next round of tankers to Boeing or opening up a competition.

Air Force leans towards buying 75 more KC-46As instead of competing KC-Y

Air Force leans towards buying 75 more KC-46As instead of competing KC-Y
Air Force leans towards buying 75 more KC-46As instead of competing KC-Y

Air Force acquisition chief Andrew Hunter indicated he was leaning toward buying 75 more KC-46A tankers as a bridge to an accelerated next-gen program.

Rep. Wittman: Air Force should compete KC-Y tanker program

Rep. Wittman: Air Force should compete KC-Y tanker program
Rep. Wittman: Air Force should compete KC-Y tanker program

Rob Wittman, who is currently the top Republican on the HASC’s seapower and projection forces subcommittee, is seeking the chair of HASC’s tactical air and land forces subcommittee next year.

If Air Force skips KC-Y tanker race, Lockheed says LMXT could compete for KC-Z

If Air Force skips KC-Y tanker race, Lockheed says LMXT could compete for KC-Z
If Air Force skips KC-Y tanker race, Lockheed says LMXT could compete for KC-Z

“If the [KC-Y] competition doesn’t go forward, I’m not convinced the next competition would be for a [clean-sheet KC-Z],” said Larry Gallogly, Lockheed’s LMXT campaign director.

‘Tactical tanker’: Why L3Harris, Embraer think KC-390 offering can dodge new tanker wars

‘Tactical tanker’: Why L3Harris, Embraer think KC-390 offering can dodge new tanker wars
‘Tactical tanker’: Why L3Harris, Embraer think KC-390 offering can dodge new tanker wars

“This will easily be Buy American Act [compliant]. It’s not even going to be close,” L3Harris CEO Chris Kubasik said of the effort with Brazil’s Embraer.

L3Harris teams with Brazil’s Embraer to bring KC-390 tanker to US market

L3Harris teams with Brazil’s Embraer to bring KC-390 tanker to US market
L3Harris teams with Brazil’s Embraer to bring KC-390 tanker to US market

L3Harris believes that the KC-390 could be a key piece of the Air Force’s next-generation KC-Z family of tankers due to its smaller size and ability to operate in austere environments.

With KC-Y tanker competition in doubt, next-gen KC-Z study to start ahead of schedule in 2024

With KC-Y tanker competition in doubt, next-gen KC-Z study to start ahead of schedule in 2024
With KC-Y tanker competition in doubt, next-gen KC-Z study to start ahead of schedule in 2024

Currently, the Air Force envisions its next-generation KC-Z tanker as a family of systems, which could include a tanker aircraft as well as “other technologies, whether it’s survivability, or connectivity, or maybe efficiencies that we want to pull into that,” said program officer Paul Waugh.

HASC won’t force the Air Force to hold a bridge tanker competition… this year

HASC won’t force the Air Force to hold a bridge tanker competition… this year
HASC won’t force the Air Force to hold a bridge tanker competition… this year

Although lawmakers repeatedly said their position wasn’t meant to favor a particular company, in some respects the debate was held over parochial lines, as some of the most outspoken had interests in their districts.

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Six ways the KC-46 gives the U.S. and allies key advantages in global mobility

Six ways the KC-46 gives the U.S. and allies key advantages in global mobility
Six ways the KC-46 gives the U.S. and allies key advantages in global mobility

The KC-46A is the only tanker that meets stringent U.S. civil and military aviation requirements.

Lockheed names US production sites for LMXT tanker

Lockheed names US production sites for LMXT tanker
Lockheed names US production sites for LMXT tanker

The LMXT — a variant of the Airbus 330 Multi Role Trainer Transport — will be assembled in Mobile, Ala., before being converted into a tanker in Marietta, Ga.

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LMXT By Lockheed Martin: America’s Next Strategic Tanker

LMXT By Lockheed Martin: America’s Next Strategic Tanker
LMXT By Lockheed Martin: America’s Next Strategic Tanker Advertisement

Offered in response to the Air Force’s KC-Y Program, Lockheed Martin’s American-built LMXT offers impressive capabilities and proven track-record.