Lockheed Martin on Friday unveiled the LMXT, its proposal for the Bridge Tanker Program (also called KC-Y) for the US Air Force. The aircraft is based on Airbus' A17 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) and is offered as a "Built in America, by Americans, for Americans" solution. The USAF is to acquire 330 tankers under the KC-Y Project.
Compared to the original A330 MRTT, the LMXT brings 13 tons more fuel, increasing not only the number of aircraft refueled in a mission, but also its own autonomy. In addition, the jet will also have specific equipment according to the needs of the USAF, as well as an open architecture, facilitating the integration of systems and other instruments that the US military wants to integrate, including the t All-Domain Command and Control ( JADC2).
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In June, the USAF announced that it was seeking tankers based on commercial aircraft and not under development to compete in the KC-Y Program, which aims to find a buffer aircraft to operate from the end of delivery of the 179 Boeing KC-46 Pegasus, in 2029, and onwards with the start of Project KC-Z, which will see the development of an all-new tanker aircraft. The specifications for the KC-Z have not yet been completed.
“Lockheed Martin has a long and successful history of producing aircraft for the United States Air Force, and we understand the critical role that tankers play in ensuring the overall success of America's mission”, said Greg Ulmer , executive vice president of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. “The LMXT combines proven performance and operator-specific capabilities to meet the Air Force's refueling requirements in of America's National Defense Strategy.”
Without specifying where, Lockheed points out that the new aircraft would be produced in the United States. The portal Flightglobal speculates that this could occur at the Airbus facility in Mobile, Alabama, where final assembly of the A319, 20 and 21 takes place.
The LMXT also features a boom (boom) and fully automated REVO, which Airbus developed with the help of the Singapore Air Force, which speeds up and makes fuel transfer operations safer. The system is called the A3R.
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Another important aspect is the MRTT's advanced camera system. On the KC-46, this is one of the systems with the most problems on the new 767-2C-based tanker. Boeing is working to solve it, but a solution, in the form of a new system, should only be incorporated in 2023.
The standard MRTT can already carry more fuel than the KC-46. The LMXT will have a total fuel capacity of 135 tonnes, further widening the gap between the two planes. However, unlike the Boeing aircraft, it does not have its own cargo deck or side cargo door. In addition to REVO missions, the KC-46, like the older KC-135 Stratotanker and KC-10 Extender, is also used in logistical transport, medical evacuation and other operations.
In the past, Airbus ed forces with Northrop-Grumman to offer the A330 MRTT to the USAF and initially won the bid. However, Boeing filed lawsuits and ended up reverting to its favor.
Today, the KC-46 was acquired by the US and the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force, but it continues to operate in a limited manner due to the series of problems it has been presenting. The obstacles brought billionaire losses to Boeing. The A330 is in service in , the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Australia and by the NATO Multinational Refueling Fleet, an initiative with the participation of , Belgium, Norway and the Netherlands. The MRTT is also certified to refuel B-1B, C-17, E-3, E-7, F-15, P-8A, A-10, F-35A, and F-22 aircraft.
