Originally Posted by
LowObservable
So, basically - saying that the A330 "doesn't meet USAF requirements" has nothing to do with the basic MRTT system, but has to do with add-ons such as OBIGGS, support for future comms roles &c, which are USAF-unique and would have been added during development.
That's exactly what LOTS of people have been saying for years. No existing tanker met all the requirements and meeting all the requirements required development. So the oft repeated mantra of "if only USAF had bought A330MRTTs they'd have had their tanker years earlier" is tosh. That is what I'm arguing against.