Tankers - 767 or 7E7?

I have been wondering why the Air Force doesn't look to buy tanker versions
of the 7E7, rather than 767s? From what I've read, the discounted price of
a 7E7 to the airlines will be under $100 million, possibly well under. So a
100 of them would cost less than the $10 billion being cited as the price
for 100 767s. As a launch, and substantial, customer - the Air Force might
be able to get a goodly discount, as well as some say in design (like maybe
alternate rack designs to hold Mil Std avionics). And the tanker versions
should be even cheaper because they wouldn't need airline features like a
complex galley, multiple lavatories, and entertainment piped to 250 seats.

Better yet - why not procure some of each? There have been statements that
there is a risk in having all the tankers be of one design in case that
design is grounded for some reason.

You know that whatever the Air Force buys will be flying for 40+ years - why
not get the latest, most efficient, and lowest maintenance aircraft?

Tony (first time poster)

"Tony" wrote in message
news:Ps5Jb.48076$PK3.9517@okepread01...
I have been wondering why the Air Force doesn't look to buy tanker
versions
of the 7E7, rather than 767s? From what I've read, the discounted price
of
a 7E7 to the airlines will be under $100 million, possibly well under. So
a
100 of them would cost less than the $10 billion being cited as the price
for 100 767s. As a launch, and substantial, customer - the Air Force
might
be able to get a goodly discount, as well as some say in design (like
maybe
alternate rack designs to hold Mil Std avionics). And the tanker versions
should be even cheaper because they wouldn't need airline features like a
complex galley, multiple lavatories, and entertainment piped to 250 seats.

Better yet - why not procure some of each? There have been statements
that
there is a risk in having all the tankers be of one design in case that
design is grounded for some reason.

You know that whatever the Air Force buys will be flying for 40+ years -
why
not get the latest, most efficient, and lowest maintenance aircraft?

Time. The USAF needs new tankers ASAP, which is why the plan to pursue the
combined lease/buy option is underway. The 767 already flies, and the first
tanker mods with flying booms are already under construction (for the
Italian and Japanese, IIRC). It will be available long before any tanker
version of the 7E7 will be--the 7E7 has yet to even begin entering the metal
cutting stage (heck, design is only now firming up), much less undergone its
flight test.

Brooks


Tony (first time poster)

"Tony blurted out; "Better yet - why not procure some of each?"

It's MUCH cheaper to have ONE common set of spares, overhaul, and
intermediate repairs for a SINGLE platform. Not to mention the complete pain
in the ass to run DUAL training tracks to fill the aircrew seats for two
platforms. It goes on and on.

Not a good idea.

My two cents.


Larry
AECS (AW/SW/MTS)
USN Retired
"Certified Web Designer"
www.SkagitMedia.com






"Tony" wrote in message
news:Ps5Jb.48076$PK3.9517@okepread01...
I have been wondering why the Air Force doesn't look to buy tanker
versions
of the 7E7, rather than 767s? From what I've read, the discounted price
of
a 7E7 to the airlines will be under $100 million, possibly well under. So
a
100 of them would cost less than the $10 billion being cited as the price
for 100 767s. As a launch, and substantial, customer - the Air Force
might
be able to get a goodly discount, as well as some say in design (like
maybe
alternate rack designs to hold Mil Std avionics). And the tanker versions
should be even cheaper because they wouldn't need airline features like a
complex galley, multiple lavatories, and entertainment piped to 250 seats.

Better yet - why not procure some of each? There have been statements
that
there is a risk in having all the tankers be of one design in case that
design is grounded for some reason.

You know that whatever the Air Force buys will be flying for 40+ years -
why
not get the latest, most efficient, and lowest maintenance aircraft?

Tony (first time poster)

Actually, since the fall of Iraq, the number of tankers needed has dropped
significantly. With the end of operation northern and southern watch, this
has freed-up essentially a squadron of aircraft.

Tanker pilots can fly anything heavy, with minimal training. Training costs
are insignificant.

The USAF leasing planes means the lessor has to maintain a bench stock.
In any scenario described, the lessor will also contract the maintenance
CONUS and Overseas.

Personally, I would go for the 767, as this is a very large aircraft that can
carry pallet cargo, and has the fuel tanks for a significant offload. The 767
is all the USAF needs for both an AWACS and Tanker replacement. I also
think it could replace the B-52 in cruise missile launch capability. With an
internal load of hundreds of cruise missiles, it can eject them from a
rotary launcher and track system. Most B-52's that launched cruise missiles
never crossed the FEBA (Gulf, and Med).

Tony wrote in message
news:Ps5Jb.48076$PK3.9517@okepread01...
I have been wondering why the Air Force doesn't look to buy tanker
versions
of the 7E7, rather than 767s? From what I've read, the discounted
price of
a 7E7 to the airlines will be under $100 million, possibly well under.
So a
100 of them would cost less than the $10 billion being cited as the
price
for 100 767s. As a launch, and substantial, customer - the Air Force
might
be able to get a goodly discount, as well as some say in design (like
maybe
alternate rack designs to hold Mil Std avionics). And the tanker
versions
should be even cheaper because they wouldn't need airline features
like a
complex galley, multiple lavatories, and entertainment piped to 250
seats.


Why would the Air Force be charged for galley and other airline type
gear on a 767 tanker purchase? Aircraft aren't like cars on the
dealer's showroom floor.

--

Scott
--------
The French, God bless them, are finally joining the war against Islamic
extremism. Their targets, which will now confront the full force of
l'état, are schoolgirls who wear Muslim head scarves in French public
schools.
Wall Street Journal

That's a darn good question. The 767 is available now and has enormous
political support. But the 7E7 is the same size and has what you'd want in
an OTS tanker; range & efficiency. The 767 is more of an interim tanker
until KC-X comes along, which is why leasing is a good idea. If the 7E7 were
to come on line we could sell/give back the KC-767s. But getting in now
seems the smart thing to do, as with the KC-135/707. Most avionics would be
the same, as with the KC-10.

Better yet - why not procure some of each? There have been statements
that
there is a risk in having all the tankers be of one design in case that
design is grounded for some reason.

Smoke. This is just to justify the 767 buy. This type of a/c is rarely
grounded and even then it is as a precautionary measure, i.e., the military
could still fly them in a crisis. It does not justify the huge added
expense.

You know that whatever the Air Force buys will be flying for 40+ years -
why
not get the latest, most efficient, and lowest maintenance aircraft?

Exactly. There is talk of a purpose built tanker but that would be hard to
justify the $. However, by leasing a small number of 767s the AF can delay
the KC-X decision and wait for any new technology aircraft to take shape,
such as X wing, blended wing, etc.

Curt

"Gene Storey" wrote in message
newsF7Jb.6477$6l1.101@okepread03...
Actually, since the fall of Iraq, the number of tankers needed has dropped
significantly. With the end of operation northern and southern watch,
this
has freed-up essentially a squadron of aircraft.

Funny, the crews don't seem to see that: another "Deny Christmas" just
passed with folks very busy. Just because we don't have a "big" war going
doesn't mean there are not tankers deployed all over the world flying their
butts off. And when the next big one comes along we will need all those
tankers. Every time a crisis hits requiring either fighters, bombers or
'lifters, the theater commander wants every tanker he can squeeze into the
available airfields.

Tanker pilots can fly anything heavy, with minimal training. Training
costs
are insignificant.

WHAT? Training costs are huge. Line pilots, by reg, are not dual qualified.

Personally, I would go for the 767, as this is a very large aircraft that
can
carry pallet cargo, and has the fuel tanks for a significant offload. The
767
is all the USAF needs for both an AWACS and Tanker replacement.

All true, but I am assume that the 7E7 will have the same capability, in
time. But it will be all new. The 767 is still a what, 30 year old design?
Even with modern upgrades the 7E7 should do the job better.

Curt

"C Knowles" wrote in message
om...

"Gene Storey" wrote in message
newsF7Jb.6477$6l1.101@okepread03...
Actually, since the fall of Iraq, the number of tankers needed has
dropped
significantly. With the end of operation northern and southern watch,
this
has freed-up essentially a squadron of aircraft.

Funny, the crews don't seem to see that: another "Deny Christmas" just
passed with folks very busy. Just because we don't have a "big" war going
doesn't mean there are not tankers deployed all over the world flying
their
butts off. And when the next big one comes along we will need all those
tankers. Every time a crisis hits requiring either fighters, bombers or
'lifters, the theater commander wants every tanker he can squeeze into the
available airfields.

Tanker pilots can fly anything heavy, with minimal training. Training
costs
are insignificant.

WHAT? Training costs are huge. Line pilots, by reg, are not dual
qualified.

Personally, I would go for the 767, as this is a very large aircraft
that
can
carry pallet cargo, and has the fuel tanks for a significant offload.
The
767
is all the USAF needs for both an AWACS and Tanker replacement.

All true, but I am assume that the 7E7 will have the same capability, in
time. But it will be all new. The 767 is still a what, 30 year old design?
Even with modern upgrades the 7E7 should do the job better.

Yes, it will have similar capabilities...the operative word being *will*,
with the proviso that the program actually meets fruition. It would not be
available for some years; current first flight plan is 2007, with
certification in 2008. So any tanker mod would not be available until
sometime even later, probably in the 2010 timeframe at the earliest.
Contrast that to the likely delivery of the first 767-based tankers to the
USAF in 2006, a year before the 7E7 even makes its maiden flight.

Brooks


Curt

"C Knowles" wrote in message
om...
That's a darn good question. The 767 is available now and has enormous
political support. But the 7E7 is the same size and has what you'd want in
an OTS tanker; range & efficiency. The 767 is more of an interim tanker
until KC-X comes along, which is why leasing is a good idea. If the 7E7
were
to come on line we could sell/give back the KC-767s. But getting in now
seems the smart thing to do, as with the KC-135/707. Most avionics would
be
the same, as with the KC-10.

Better yet - why not procure some of each? There have been statements
that
there is a risk in having all the tankers be of one design in case that
design is grounded for some reason.

Smoke. This is just to justify the 767 buy. This type of a/c is rarely
grounded and even then it is as a precautionary measure, i.e., the
military
could still fly them in a crisis. It does not justify the huge added
expense.

You know that whatever the Air Force buys will be flying for 40+ years -
why
not get the latest, most efficient, and lowest maintenance aircraft?

Exactly. There is talk of a purpose built tanker but that would be hard to
justify the $. However, by leasing a small number of 767s the AF can delay
the KC-X decision and wait for any new technology aircraft to take shape,
such as X wing, blended wing, etc.

But the currently approved plan is only for the lease of 20 aircraft, with
purchase of the remaining 80. Time is apparently of the essence in this
case, with the current schedule looking at delivery of the last 767 tankers
in the 2014 timeframe--it would be hard to imagine any 7E7 tanker variant
being available for delivery before maybe 2010 at the very earliest, and
likely later, given that it is scheduled for first flight in 07 (a year
after the first 767 mods are accepted under the current plan) and civil
certification in 08. One advantage to the current 767 program is that we can
take advantage of the boom/aircraft integration effort already underway on
behalf of the Italian and Japanese purchases of the 767 tanker
mods--depending on the 7E7 means you'd have to wait for the integration and
associated testwork to be repeated all over again, making 2010 an optimistic
availability date.

Brooks


Curt

Gene offered his thoughts "Training costs are insignificant"
EXCUSE ME?

Since I have written the Navy Training Plan (NTP) for the E-6A Hermes (more
commonly known as the Gecko) I am QUITE familiar with training pipelines and
their associated costs.

Don't tell me you'll just "grab some other pilot" and train him to fly a
tanker! That pilot has to come from "off the street" sooner or later and
will require several years of training to become qualified. These costs are
easily calculated by taking the overhead of the school (trainers, sims,
instructors, equip, aircraft, maintenance, etc) and divide by the throughput
(number of students per year). Then add all the pay/bennys for the students-
This cost (per pilot) is over $200,000 on some platforms on up to well over
a million dollars on others.

More to this discussion is the "dual qual" which in that case would likely
add at least several months to a training pipeline (with all the overhead
associated with trainers, sims, instructors, equip, etc) for what purpose?
Then you'll have two "training squadrons", two "model managers", double the
"pilot instructors", and on and on.

What interval will cross-qual be required to keep current? Many of our
pilots cannot keep "current" now due to budget constraints- let alone
maintain a "dual-seat" qual? Why???

More thought needs to be applied here. You don't just "run out and jump into
an airplane"!




Larry
AECS (AW/SW/MTS)
Disabled Combat Veteran
USN Retired
"MTS = Master Training Specialist and that includes coordinating training
pipelines and curriculum development, not just mass podium time"






"Gene Storey" wrote in message
newsF7Jb.6477$6l1.101@okepread03...
Actually, since the fall of Iraq, the number of tankers needed has dropped
significantly. With the end of operation northern and southern watch,
this
has freed-up essentially a squadron of aircraft.

Tanker pilots can fly anything heavy, with minimal training. Training
costs
are insignificant.

The USAF leasing planes means the lessor has to maintain a bench stock.
In any scenario described, the lessor will also contract the maintenance
CONUS and Overseas.

Personally, I would go for the 767, as this is a very large aircraft that
can
carry pallet cargo, and has the fuel tanks for a significant offload. The
767
is all the USAF needs for both an AWACS and Tanker replacement. I also
think it could replace the B-52 in cruise missile launch capability. With
an
internal load of hundreds of cruise missiles, it can eject them from a
rotary launcher and track system. Most B-52's that launched cruise
missiles
never crossed the FEBA (Gulf, and Med).