Deploying When and Where Necessary
An aerial tanker's effectiveness depends on its ability to deploy rapidly and operate from airfields around the world.
The KC-45's excellent performance and superior reliability - validated during millions of flight hours logged by the A330 civilian airliner counterpart - make it the optimal choice for the U.S. Air Force's next-generation tanker aircraft.
Tanker-specific systems for the KC-45 are designed with the same high reliability as the proven off-the-shelf avionics and hardware on the A330. For example, the tanker's advanced flying boom incorporates substantial built-in test equipment, an automatic pre-flight check function and redundant actuation systems and power supply.
The KC-45's size, greater fuel off-load capability and increased range also are key operational advantages, as fewer tankers are required to support critical refueling missions.
In addition, the ability to perform refueling missions over longer ranges allows KC-45s to stage from more distant support bases, thereby freeing up limited airfield ramp space near the combat area. KC-45 deployments also will benefit from the existing infrastructure at civilian airports worldwide that supports more than 570 A330s now in service or on order by commercial airlines.
The KC-45's superior performance characteristics ensure the tanker will be able to deploy from the largest number of airfields and airports possible. The aircraft's excellent takeoff performance allows it to depart from a 7,000-ft. runway fully loaded.
The KC-45's standard ground turning radius enables the tanker to operate from hundreds of airfields around the world - including all of the runways utilized by tankers during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
