NutLoose
17th Sep 2021, 20:18
It’s that time again and like a broken record the A330 is back in the competition.
https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/afa-air-space/2021/09/17/lockheed-reveals-new-lmxt-refueling-tanker-firing-the-opening-salvo-in-us-air-force-competition/
Less Hair
18th Sep 2021, 08:13
Funny how the branding avoids to mention Airbus.
Some good tanker. I'd say there is room for both.
NutLoose
23rd Sep 2021, 20:16
https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/lmxt-new-lockheed-tanker-could-create-problems-china-194229
The primary aim of the Bridge Tanker program is to begin replacing the aging KC-135 Stratotankers which are now nearing the end of their service life. The KC-135 Stratotankers will be seventy years old when the Air Force receives its last planned KC-46A Pegasus in 2029, according to Jane’s Defense.
The move suggests an Air Force interest in nearer-term readiness, as a fast-produced, commercially derived Bridge Tanker would be available to conduct operations much sooner than the full expected force of KC-46A Pegasus transport aircraft.
There is one option developed by Lockheed Martin called the LMXT, which was designed to out-perform the KC-46 Pegasus, developers say. Its design is based on the Airbus Multirole tanker A330 MRTT aircraft, which is in service with thirteen key allies and includes a boom/drogue refueling system, fly-by-wire automatic boom/air-to-air refueling systems and advanced sensor cameras. Company information states that “at 2,000 nautical miles from its departing base the LMXT can offload 60% more fuel than the KC-46A and at 3,000 nautical miles the gap grows to more than 150-percent.” Lockheed Martin advocates for the aircraft add that the LMXT has more fuel capacity than the KC-46 Pegasus and can operate from far more airfields in the Pacific region than the KC-46 Pegasus. This could be critical, given the maritime expanse of the Pacific region and the amount of distance separating various tanker launch points on land.