Originally Posted by
BenThere
A 777 augmented by additional body fuel tanks would present a formidable challenge for Airbus to equal with any current model design.
The 777 already has the additional body tanks in its -200LR guise, and it's currently being developed with a cargo door and floor in its freighter form. Half the work is pretty much done already or is underway - just need to qualify a boom and operator's station/console, and those being developed for the Japanese and Italian KC-767 should pretty much bolt on/in.
Originally Posted by
BenThere
Though I favor the idea of a competitive field, I can't see a very high probability of Airbus success against a 777 tanker, unless the Brit or French air forces fielded the Airbus tanker prior to the US award, demonstrating that it meets current, real world performance benchmarks.
French? Not likely. Australia will be first to market with the KC-30B (A330) but due to development delays with the 'digital' boom, this won't be until late 2009 at this stage. The Brits likely won't have a boom, and the boom will be the deal-breaker for the US.
Magoo