The airframe that Boeing presented was the fuselage based on the 76 that met each of the airforce's mandatory requirements. The cockpit adds four 787-like displays and 777-like cursor control units,we know that.
What we don't know is are the fuselage and wings based on the 767-200ER, or do they combine major elements of different models, such as the 763 or -400ER. And the answer will determine the KC-46A's range and payload capacity which have not been publicly released yet.
KEY USAF CRITERA IS:
The KC-X must deliver at least 42,675kg of fuel to offloadat a range of 1,850km after a take off from a 2,135m runway.
KC-X shall deliver fuel to all receptacle equipped receivers at a maximum rate of at 4,550 liters/min.
All KC-X drouge refuelling systems shall each deliver fuel at maximum flow rates equal to or greater than1,515 liters/min.
The KC-X shall recieve fuel at a maximum rate of at least 4,550 liters/min.
The KC-X shall provide for air transport....for 50 patients total, 24 litter and 26 amblutory patients, for a 16 hour mission.
KC-X shall provide seating for a total of 15 aircrew members.
KC-X should have minimum unrefulled ferry range of 9,550nm.
The KC-X mission capable rate shall be at least 92% at 5,000 accumalated fleet hours.
Boeing officials kept the key facts about their offer hidden from public veiw, Among those items that were undisclosed are aircraft range, payload capacity and fuel offload at a given range.
Boieng also has not disclosed if the KC-46A is based on one model or assembled from major elements of different models. Even the identity of the refueling systems, including the boom, [ although the boom is to be a derived version of the KC-10 fly by wire system and not the the "fifth gen" boom installed on the KC-767J of the JASDF ] centerline drouge and wingtip hose and drouges, all of which has not been made public.
So it's a wait and see game until these have been made public to see what it will look like.
Last edited by Jaryd stock; 24th March 2011 at 07:18 PM.
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