View Full Version : Lockheed Martin propose stealthy tanker et al
chopper2004
10th Dec 2018, 16:21
What with the Boeing KC-46 Pegasus , and MQ-25 being the biggish headlines for AAR, apparently L-M are not sitting this out. They are looking at stealth and unmanned air to air tanker concepts
Lockheed Martin Is Crafting New Stealth and Drone Tanker Concepts For The USAF - The Drive (http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/23723/lockheed-martin-is-crafting-new-stealth-and-drone-tanker-concepts-for-the-usaf)
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1920x1080/1142d584_bc43_4e00_bed6_269bc5cfd0ed_5ac8d27a65485f737787d21 705ebac7b3f509993.jpeg
Even assuming USAF releases an RFP for a stealthy tanker, Lockheed would have to beat the competition. They've lost the last three major competitions on cost and have already complained bitterly that they can't afford to submit low cost proposals the way Boeing has.. If that continues, they don't have a prayer of winning this one and all they've have are pretty artists renderings.
(not as a mod)
They might want to first develop a stealth Herc to fit into that picture.
Or put the Truckie towline a little further away than the Gen 5 one.
Onceapilot
10th Dec 2018, 18:12
I think that there is a place for a LO tanker (due to a Force-majeure of short legged LO FJ) but, it ain't gonna be VFM for Albert. FGS, where is this Stealthy tanker operating from to support carrier based F-35? Oh, Yes! I remember, from a land base! DOH!! :p
OAP
.... where is this Stealthy tanker operating from to support carrier based F-35? Oh, Yes! I remember, from a land base! DOH!! :p This is not that far feteched as it may sound. The P-8 (based on the land based 737) originally had an aerial tanker requirement. But that got killed when USAF cried foul and claimed it violated their exclusive turf. It's one of the reasons the MQ-25 was created. USN needed the tanking and USAF could not claim the MQ-25 violated their turf.
Onceapilot
10th Dec 2018, 18:23
Hi Ken! Yep, those tankers are gonna have a ball on that ski-jump. :rolleyes:
OAP
Onceapilot
10th Dec 2018, 18:25
Sorry, just a bit UK warcanoe-centric. :ouch:
OAP