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The KC-X is a proposed new tanker aircraft. Corrosion is impacting the ability of the Air Force to accurately predict the KC-135 service life to allow timely force decisions. If possible, Air Mobility Command will retain the KC-135 through at least a 56 year service life, and its replacement, the KC-X, should be ready to enter the inventory by FY2013. An ongoing study which is critical to future KC-135/KC-X decisions is the Tanker Requirements Study—TRS-05. The requirement defined by TRS-05 based on the Mobility Requirements Study for the year 2005 [MRS-05] results, combined with the results of a parallel KC-135 Extended Life Study, are inputs into the Air Refueling Analysis of Alternatives conducted in 2001 to give a first look at the KC-X solution.
The primary mission of the KC-X concept is the strategic tanker mission using a fuselage mounted “flying boom” and multi-point hose/drogue systems. As a strategic airlifter, the concept can deliver over-sized military equipment into bare bases while providing performance comparable to modern commercial airliners. The modular medium transport concept uses major structural and system components from the KC-X to reduce life cycle cost. The medium transport is designed to deliver over-sized military cargo into bare bases while providing flight performance comparable to commercial transports. The concept is fully airdrop capable and can operate from short, soft soil fields at reduced take-off weights.
In military use, Advanced Mobility Aircraft will be able to perform airlift and tanker missions through the use of integrated modular tanker systems. This will allow the use of one airframe, with the resulting logistics and operational advantages, to fulfill AMC airlift, airdrop, and air refueling missions. In the airlift role, the AMA can carry all the equipment of the Army's light divisions over a 4,000 NM range. The aircraft can airdrop more than 150 paratroops or two 60,000 pound airdrop loads. For tanker missions, the aircraft can exceed the fuel offload of the KC-135R while retaining its basic airlift capability.
The aircraft will also be an effective member of USAF Air Expeditionary Forces (AEFs) by providing strategic lift for deployments, tanker support in theater, and as a multi-mission aircraft for other AEF requirements. Modular airframe and systems design will allow low cost development of derivative vehicles for a variety of missions including reconnaissance and surveillance, electronic combat, rescue, special operations, global attack with future long-range stand-off weapons, and as a 'mother-ship' for advanced UAVs.
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