Crs Report for Congress - Air Force Air Refueling: The Kc-X Aircraft Acquisition Program: April 4, 2008 - Rl34398 (Paperback)

KC-X is the first of three planned programs intended to recapitalize the Air Force's air refueling fleet. Eventually, the KC-X program is expected to acquire 179 new, commercial off-the-shelf airliners modified to accomplish air refueling. The program is expected to cost approximately $35 billion. Both Boeing and a consortium consisting of Northrop Grumman and European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company (EADS) -- the parent company of Airbus -- were in competition 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 awarded the KC-X contract to Northrop Grumman. The initial $12.1 billion KC-X contract provides for the purchase the first 68 KC-45s of the anticipated 179 aircraft. On March 11, 2008, Boeing protested the Air Force's decision to the Government Accountability Office (GAO). GAO has 100 days to evaluate the protest. Air Force in-flight aerial refueling aircraft, often referred to as "tankers," provide both persistence and range to Department of Defense (DOD) fighters, bombers, airlift and surveillance aircraft. As such, the Air Force's tanker fleet greatly multiplies the effectiveness of DOD air power across the continuum of military operations. Today, the KC-135, which makes ...