Posted on Jun 14, 2019
KC-46 refueling system flaws will take years to fix and cost hundreds of millions, GAO says
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Boeing has forgotten how to build tankers and instead has copied the worst from the KC-10. If you want a boom vision system that works every time, make the boom operator lay on his belly in the back and give him a window. Not complicated, not reliant on electrical, and I can see the receiver in any weather, every time. Boom and boom window in the KC-135 are operated via redundant hydraulic systems. Fun facts: KC-135: 1955 technology, max speed 0.9 Mach, cruise speed 0.8 Mach, range 11,015 mi, service ceiling 50,000 feet, Fuel cap 203,000 lb, cargo cap 83,000 lb. KC-46: 1990s technology, max speed 0.86 Mach, cruise speed 0.8 Mach, range 6,385 nmi, service ceiling 40,100 ft, fuel cap 212,290 lb, cargo cap 65,000 lb. Does anyone see the problems here?
KC-46 refueling system flaws will take years to fix and cost hundreds of millions, GAO says
Posted from airforcetimes.com
KC-135 Instructor Pilot
Boeing
Acquisition Officer
Posted >1 y ago
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Col Joseph Lenertz Tons of problems. How is newer technology not better than something that was put together almost 70 years ago? It seems that any upgrade that's come out in the last 10-15 years has been delayed and costs have gone way up. However, the federal government keeps awarding contracts (and the ones to fix the issues) to these companies that can't seem to get it right the first time.
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Col Joseph Lenertz
Yes, exactly. When will the acquisition community and senior DoD lawyers grow a pair and Terminate for Cause? It takes work, and knowledge of the FARs to write a good contract, but we need cajones to enforce it.
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