Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimmy
...One thing that surprised me is that KC-10s routinely fly cargo across the country. According to one guy, more than half his CONUS flights are hauling cargo, sometimes with A/Rs enroute, sometimes not. Cargo is huge. Someone brought up the C-17s...another valid point, that I hadnt thought about.
During combat ops, I would rather have a KC-10 out there than a 135. Without question. The KC-45 seems to bring along all the "bonuses" that come along with a 10, like fuel consolidation (not always possible with a 135), loiter time, etc. There are other tactical considerations that make the 10 (and probably the 45) a better choice than a 135, none of which involve who punches the rivets.
|
My complaint Jimmy is that the RFP was for a replacement for the KC-135B, not the KC-10. Boeing could have come in with a KC-777 that would be a much better matchup against the KC-30 as a replacement for the KC-10.
What they
did was to offer a replacement for the KC-135B as per the RFP.
A school bus is a much more eficient passenger hauler than a passenger car, but that doesn't mean I'm going to buy one to get back and forth to work.