With Lockheed Out, Airbus Offering A330 MRTT To USAF

Airbus will pursue the U.S. Air Force’s KC-135 recapitalization program on its own without prior partner Lockheed Martin, offering its A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) for the competition.

Lockheed Martin announced Oct. 23 that it would not pursue the Air Force’s KC-135 replacement program following the release of a request for information (RFI) and requirements last month. Lockheed Martin and Airbus had teamed up on the LMXT, with Lockheed as the prime, first for the KC-Y bid and then for the KC-135 replacement.

“We are transitioning Lockheed Martin’s LMXT team and resources to new opportunities and priority programs within Lockheed Martin, including development of aerial refueling solutions in support of the U.S. Air Force’s Next-Generation Air-Refueling (NGAS) initiative. We remain committed to the accelerated delivery of advanced capabilities that strengthen the U.S. Air Force’s aerial refueling missions.”

The LMXT was a modified version of the A330 MRTT, with additional capabilities focused on Air Force priorities such as connectivity and survivability. It was to be built at an Airbus facility in Alabama and missionized at a Lockheed Martin facility in Georgia had the companies won the competition. Reuters first reported Lockheed’s decision.

In a statement to Aerospace DAILY, Airbus says without Lockheed it will still offer a U.S.-made version of the MRTT to the Air Force.

“Airbus remains committed to providing the U.S. Air Force and our warfighters with the most modern and capable tanker on the market and will formally respond to the United States Air Force KC-135 recapitalization RFI,” Airbus says. “The A330 U.S.-MRTT is a reliable choice for the U.S. Air Force: one that will deliver affordability, proven performance and unmatched capabilities.”

During the Paris Air Show in July, Airbus Defense CEO Jean-Brice Dumont said the company was committed to the competition, with it planning to define its setup to U.S. Air Force requirements.

With Lockheed Martin out, Boeing’s KC-46 remains the favorite for the KC-135 recapitalization program. When the Air Force first announced the program in March, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said the preliminary requirements looked like buying more of the Boeing tankers was likely. The service had planned an acquisition program known as “KC-Y” to bridge the gap between KC-46 and a future NGAS. However, with NGAS becoming a higher priority that plan was canceled in favor of the near-term recapitalization program.