RAAF Strategic Tanker Choices

RAAF will soon begin serious negotiations to replace it’s aging fleet of 4 707 tankers. The likely contenders are the Airbus MRTT, Boeing KC-767 and Boeing KC-25. The KC-10 is all but ruled out due to the lack of support facilities in Australia. The “purchase” is more than likely going to be some sort of private leasing venture, which i don’t mind at all.

Here are the contenders:

Boeing KC-767 (767-200)

MTOW: 186880kg
Design payload: 54885kg
Design range: 6055km (why is it so much shorter legged than the commercial version?)
Internal volume: 454.00 cubic metres
Fuel offload performance: 47600kg at 3520km
Able to carry approx 220 passengers
Unable to transrt ASLAV, M113 (in an assembled state)

Airbus MRTT (A310-300)

MTOW: 164000kg
Design payload: 34000kg
Design range: 7400km
Internal volume: 312.1 cubic metres
Fuel offload performance: 50000kg at 926km
Able to carry approx 220 passengers
Unable to transport ASLAV, M113 (in an assembled state)

Boeing KC-25 (747-200)

MTOW: 351500kg
Design payload: 198390kg
Design range: 8426km
Internal volume: 601.4 cubic metres
Fuel offload performance: 95000kg at 3520km
Able to carry approx 400 passengers
Able to transport ASLAV, M113 (in an assembled state)

Cost is an issue obviously, but second-hand 747-200s aren’t too expensive (Qantas, for example, is soon going to retire it’s examples of the type. I’m sure the government can extract a good deal out of the carrier, in exchange for, say, more slots at Sydney and Melbourne airports?), whereas new examples of the 767 and A310 would be “purchased” (leased). The Qantas examples haven’t done too much mileage (if not sold/leased to the ADF, they would probably find new homes with other airlines), so i think that might be the way to go.

The recently released White Paper stipulates a requirement for 5 such aircraft, but this could be increased if further defence spending upgrades are forthcoming (election year!!!).

Which do you think would be the best option to take?

MinMiester