True, D-IFF, but the KC-10 isn't really a MRTT in the pax/tanker role as your Gitmo Bay class seating is only available for around 75 people. Granted it has an impressive cargo carrying capability in addition to more AAR than anyone except the US really needs.
The 'modified A321' concept was only a paper concept to show up the gap between the A321 and A330 which Airbus once filled with the A300/310. The estimate was a fuel capacity of 43.8 tonne - not terribly useful as a purpose-built tanker, but perhaps as a secondary role for any air force thinking of replacing their existing smaller single role tankers?
A400M can
only carry a useful tanker fuel load (I thought it was 62 tonne?) with the cargo bay tanks (CBTs) fitted. In that fit it has
zero AT capability! Even with just 1 CBT, it could only manage around 57 troops in para seats or about 5.7 tonnes of cargo...... Without any CBTs, for 90 minutes on a towline 1 hr from base, my unofficial wet finger estimate is that it could offer a maximum of around 29 tonnes of fuel before landing with about an hour to tanks dry.
Which is somewhat less than even the Victor K2 could manage!
In the same scenario a VC10C1K offers around 36 tonnes. An A310MRTT could offer 48 tonnes and an A330MRTT could offer 84 tonnes (if you could find enough receivers!).
A400M will be an excellent AT aircraft, but it is not designed to carry its passengers in normal airline-type seats. It will also have a useful additional role of intra theatre AAR for the odd fast jet or helicopters even without CBTs. But for a next generation strategic multi-role AT/AAR platform the only modern solution is the A330MRTT.
The MoD really should have bought a couple of dozen A310MRTTs when they were offered to them years ago!
If the PFI FSTA really is as dead as the emerging rumours suggest, how many people will say "We told you so......"?
FSTA timeline:
Dec 2000 - Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) issued to industry.
Jul 2001 – Bids received from industry.
Feb 2003 – Final 2 bids received for assessment (AirTanker and TTSC).
Jan 2004 – Contract negotiations begin with AirTanker
Feb 2005 – AirTanker selected as FSTA preferred bidder.
??? 2007 - Contract award anticipated?
??? 2009 - First A330K training courses?
??? 2010 - First A330K certificated?
??? 2010+ - A330K deliveries........??
As far as I know, the 'site works' which were supposed to have started in 2006 haven't yet started - so the last 4 dates are probably rather optimistic.
"This programme will not slip".......
