The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Japan for KC-46A aerial refueling aircraft and related equipment, training, and support. The estimated cost is $1.9 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
The Government of Japan requested the sale of four (4) KC-46A aerial refueling aircraft. Each aircraft is powered by two (2) Pratt &Whitney Model 4062 (PW4062) Turbofan engines. The sale includes one (1) additional spare PW4062 engine. Each aircraft will be delivered with GPS capability and defensive systems installed plus spares, to include: Raytheon’s ALR-69A Radar Warning Receiver (RWR), Raytheon’s Miniaturized Airborne GPS Receiver (MAGR) 2000 (2K) to provide GPS Selective Availability AntiSpoofing Module SAASM capability, and Northrop Grumman’s AN/AAQ-24(V) Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) system. Each LAIRCM system consists of the following components: three (3) Guardian Laser Terminal Assemblies (GLTA), six (6) Ultra-Violet Missile Warning System (UVMWS) Sensors AN/AAR-54, one (1) LAIRCM System Processor Replacements (LSPR), one (1) Control Indicator Unit Replacement, one (1) Smart Card Assembly, and one (1) High Capacity Card.
The Major Defense Equipment (MDE) items are the aircraft and engines, MAGR 2K with SAASM, ALR-69A RWR, GLTA, UVMWS, and LSPR. The total MDE cost, with spares, is estimated at $1.5 billion.
The following non-MDE items will be included with the purchase of the four (4) x KC-46A airframes: twelve (16) AN/ARC-210 UHF Radios, six (12) APX-119 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) transponders, initial spares and repair parts, consumables, support equipment, technical data, engineering change proposals, publications, Field Service Representatives’ (FSRs), repair and return, depot maintenance, training and training equipment, contractor technical and logistics personnel services,U.S.Government and contractor representative support, Group A and B installation for subsystems, flight test and certification, and other related elements of logistics support. The total program cost is estimated to be $1.9 billion (includes all MDE and non-MDE values and above and below the line charges.
This proposed sale contributes to the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by meeting the legitimate security and defense needs of an ally and partner nation. Japan continues to be an important force for peace, political stability, and economic progress in the Asia-Pacific region.
The proposed sale increases Japan’s capability to participate in Pacific region security operations and improves Japan’s national security posture as a key U.S. ally. This proposed sale will provide Japan a needed capability to a close ally and support U.S. security interests in the region.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support does not affect the basic military balance in the region.
The principal contractors on the sale are Boeing Corporation as the aircraft manufacturer, supported by Raytheon Company, Waltham, MA, as the manufacturer of ALR-69A and the MAGR 2K. Northrop Grumman Corporation, Rolling Meadows, IL, will also support the sale as producer of the AN/AAQ-24(V)N LAIRCM system. Final assembly and delivery of the KC-46A takes place at Boeing’s production facility in Everett, Washington. At this time, there are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.
Japan will have no difficulty absorbing these aircraft into its armed forces.
There is no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.
This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.
KC-46A Pegasus
Mission
The KC-46A is the first phase of a 3-phase effort to replace the U.S. Air Force’s aging tanker fleet. With more refueling capacity and enhanced capabilities, improved efficiency and increased capabilities for cargo and aeromedical evacuation, the KC-46A will provide aerial refueling support to the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps as well as allied nation coalition force aircraft.
Features
The KC-46A will be able to refuel any fixed-wing receiver capable aircraft on any mission. This aircraft is equipped with a modernized KC-10 refueling boom integrated with proven fly-by-wire control system and delivering a fuel offload rate required for large aircraft. In addition, the hose and drogue system adds additional mission capability that is independently operable from the refueling boom system.
Two high-bypass turbofans, mounted under 34-degree swept wings, power the KC-46A to takeoff at gross weights up to 415,000 pounds. Nearly all internal fuel can be pumped through the boom, drogue and wing aerial refueling pods. The centerline drogue and wing aerial refueling pods are used to refuel aircraft fitted with probes. All aircraft will be configured for the installation of a multipoint refueling system.
MPRS configured aircraft will be capable of refueling two receiver aircraft simultaneously from special “pods” mounted under the wing. One crewmember known as the boom operator controls the boom, centerline drogue, and wing refueling pods during refueling operations. This new tanker utilizes an advanced KC-10 boom, a center mounted drogue and wing aerial refueling pods allowing it to refuel multiple types of receiver aircraft as well as foreign national aircraft on the same mission.
A cargo deck above the refueling system can accommodate a mix load of passengers, patients and cargo. The KC-46A can carry up to 18 463L cargo pallets. Seat tracks and the onboard cargo handling system make it possible to simultaneously carry palletized cargo, seats, and patient support pallets in a variety of combinations. The new tanker aircraft offers significantly increased cargo and aeromedical evacuation capabilities.
The aircrew compartment includes 15 permanent seats for aircrew which includes permanent seating for the aerial refueling operator and an aerial refueling instructor. Panoramic displays giving the ARO wing-tip to wing-tip situational awareness.
Background
The Boeing Company was awarded a contract for the Engineering and Manufacturing Development phase of the KC-46 program on Feb. 24, 2011. The initial flight of the KC-46A aircraft is scheduled for late calendar year 2014. The current contract, with options, provides the Air Mobility Command an inventory of 179 KC-46 tankers.
General Characteristics
Primary Function: Aerial refueling and airlift
Prime Contractor: The Boeing Company
Power Plant: 2 Pratt & Whitney 4062
Thrust: 62,000 lbs – Thrust per High-Bypass engine (sea-level standard day)
Wingspan: 157 feet, 8 inches (48.1 meters)
Length: 165 feet, 6 inches (50.5 meters)
Height: 52 feet, 10 inches (15.9 meters)
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 415,000 pounds (188,240 kilograms)
Fuel Capacity: 212,299 pounds (96,297 kilograms)
Maximum Transfer Fuel Load: 207,672 pounds (94,198 kilograms)
Maximum Cargo Capacity: 65,000 pounds (29,484 kilograms)
Pallet Positions: 18 pallet positions
Air Crew: 15 permanent seats for aircrew, including aeromedical evacuation aircrew
Passengers: 58 total (normal operations); up to 114 total (contingency operations)
Aeromedical Evacuation: 58 patients (24 litters / 34 ambulatory) with the AE Patient Support Pallet configuration; 6 integral litters carried as part of normal aircraft configuration equipment