Pentagon tweaks tanker requirements

[unhappycamper]

Second chance
Pentagon issues new request for proposals


Pentagon tweaks tanker requirements
By Gayle S. Putrich - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Aug 6, 2008 17:16:48 EDT

When Boeing and the Northrop Grumman-EADS team submit revised Air Force tanker proposals early this fall, they must present a cost estimate for a 40-year lifespan, not a 25-year one, Pentagon officials said in an Aug. 6 news conference called to discuss the revised requirements.

“If there was a plan to replace them at 25 years, I’m not aware of it,” said Shay Assad, director of defense procurement and acquisition policy.

The new proposals to supply 179 aerial refuelers must separate the expense of the demonstration and design phase and acquisition costs from the total lifecycle price tag, Assad said.

Decision-makers will give more weight to aerial refueling than survivability, airlift and operational utility.

Assad said evaluators will also give extra credit for carrying additional fuel.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/08/ap_tanker_080608/