A Low Cost And Low Risk Approach To KC-46A Development

KC-46A refuels B-1B

Boeing seems to have really squeezed its profit margins on its winning KC-46A bid for the USAF tanker competition. With this win, Boeing has effectively:

1. Thwarted the entry of Airbus to a U.S. production base, for now
2. Extended the production life of the B-767 for possibly 300 more aircraft
3. Opened up the opportunity for a B-767NG version based on the KC-46A for passenger and freighter versions
   

For Boeing to convert this win into profits, it must implement a low cost and low risk approach to the KC-46A development.

To do this, Boeing can just USAF-milspeced the Italian Air Force KC-767A tanker. Based on published reports, Boeing needs to modify this Italian model with, among others:

1. Add winglets that is already being done on commercial B-767 versions. The winglets may possibly be also configured to alleviate further the flutter in the Italian Air Force KC-767A.
2. Install a B-787 style cockpit panel which can mean upgrading the B-767-400 cockpit panel to the B-787 level.
3. Enhanced KC-767A fuel boom. This may be simply an enlargement of the boom fuel line barrel or increase fuel line pressure or both, to deliver higher fuel flow rates.
4. Strengthening the cabin floor with lighter materials.
5. Install defensive systems.

KC-767A tanker for the Italian Air Force

Boeing cannot do a Frankentanker approach on the KC-46A now as the cost and risk are higher. It may do this on an enhanced KC-46A version with new engines, if ever.

After The Tanker Loss, Will Airbus Build An A-350 Assembly Plant In The U.S. ?

Boeing KC-46As

Airbus lost the USAF tanker competition to Boeing's KC-46A, and with it its plans to enter the huge U.S. defense market via a tanker assembly plant in Alabama.

According to media reports, EADS, the mother company of Airbus, is awash in cash. EADS may use this cash hoard to continue its plan of entering the huge U.S. defense market with an A-350 assembly plant maybe also in Alabama.

Airbus A-350

EADS can use the A-350 to compete in the next KC-Y tanker competition that may see the replacement of the KC-10. Although the KC-10 is a relatively young tanker, if this replacement cycle will push through, the A-350 may go against the B-777 or the B-777NG.

Whatever happens in the tanker arena, an A-350 assembly plant in the U.S. may make business sense if the Euro remains strong compared to the dollar, and the A-350 is successful in its order book that the new European plant cannot cope with the demand.

New Airbus A-350 European plant

Such a scenario may convince EADS to forego any protest against the Boeing KC-46A win.

B-767NG From The KC-46A

KC-46A concept

Congratulations Boeing for your KC-46A tanker win!

20 more years for the B-767 line and maybe a 1500 aircraft production total.

This win opens new opportunities for the B-767.

On the military side, it can mean

1. more tanker orders from other countries
   
2. platform for an AWACS replacement
   
3. platform for JSTARS replacement
   
4. Other versions
   

Two KC-767A for the Italian Air Force refueling

On the civilian side, as the 767 and the KC-46A will be produced on a single line, the KC-46A may become the default configuration for a new B-767NG. This can have

1. B-787 style avionics
2. Winglets
3. B-787 style cabin
4. Weight reduction
5. Aerodynamic streamlining
6. Possible GEnX reengining
   

Boeing will surely use the KC-46A development process to reinvigorate the B-767 design, and the production process to come out with a more profitable B-767NG to operate.

Rollout of 1,000th B-767 for ANA

This will be a welcome development for a lot of airlines unable to get into slots in the long B-787 line.

New B-767 production line

And for the air freight companies needing new freighters at the B-767 capacity level.

B-767 Freighter configuration

Making the Boeing 767 More Competitive

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Assuming the order demand is there the 767 must have tweaks as is being done with the 737.

Aside from lowering costs and the resulting price, modifications will make it more competitive.

The winglets had been great and other modifications that are possible are:

1. Aerodynamic tweaks

2. Engine inserts

3. Lightening

4. Cockpit and avionics commonalities with 787

5. New 787/737 style cabin