Air Force issues RFI for bridge tanker

By Courtney Albon / July 20, 2021 at 10:29 AM

The Air Force released a request for information Monday for the bridge tanker, seeking companies who can deliver 140 to 160 commercial derivative aircraft to supplement its aerial refueling fleet by 2030.

The RFI follows a sources-sought notice the service issued last month as it finalizes requirements for the effort and aims to release a request for proposals next year. The service expects to field about 12 of the non-developmental KC-Y tankers per year.

The notice, which calls for white papers to be submitted by Aug. 2, indicates that the capability will build on KC-46 requirements, incorporating “subsequent and emerging requirements defined by the Air Force.” It seeks input from companies about what aircraft they might propose, the readiness levels of any new technologies they may offer, fuel offload capability and capacity for carrying cargo.

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