The race to secure the contract for USAF’s new aerial refueler, dubbed KC-X, is really in full swing now, with an April 11 announcement from Boeing that it submitted its proposal to the Air Force on Tuesday, as well. (See above.) James Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, claims the Boeing entrant, a KC-767, “will do for refueling what the C-17 has done for airlift—it will revolutionize mobility operations.” The company statement says the 7,000-page KC-X proposal describes a tanker uniquely designed for its primary air refueling mission, but also capable of moving cargo, passengers, patients, and medical crewmembers.” Boeing also touts that its KC-767 will “save taxpayers nearly $10 billion in fuel costs compared to the competitor.”
B-21 Raider First Flight Now Postponed to 2023
May 20, 2022
The Air Force says the B-21 Raider won't make its first flight until 2023; about a six-month delay from the last official estimates. No reason was given for the delay. While other programs have recently chalked up schedule slips to supply chain and labor shortages, the Air Force has said…