KC 46 e KC 767 AMI quali problemi?

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Un commento ... da ambienti molto vicini all'Air Force ...

... airforcemag.com ... AMC: KC-46 Can’t Deploy for at Least 3-4 Years ... 

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Ancora a proposito della impossibilità di trasportare carichi e passeggeri ...

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Boeing’s preliminary findings are that aircraft movement and vibration are causing cargo floor restraint locks on the US Air Force (USAF) KC-46A Pegasus tanker to jostle and rotate to an unlocked position.
The company believes the cargo restraints, manufactured by Ancara Cargo, are well made and designed, but interact in an unexpected way with the track on the aircraft deck. 
It is considering a secondary lock to hold the first lock in place, but it is concerned an additional mechanism might slow loading and unloading speeds. 
Each pallet is clamped to the cargo floor via four restraints – one on each side.
The company has yet to submit a solution to the USAF but says it is close. 
It declines to give a timeline. 
In the meanwhile, the airframer has proposed a way to use tie-down straps to secure and carry cargo for some missions. 
Boeing says that no locks have come entirely undone and the issue has only been witnessed during one mission.

... flightglobal.com ... Boeing eyes KC-46A cargo fix as FOD issue dissipates ...

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Dalla pagina dei contratti assegnati dal DoD il 27 Settembre 2019 ...

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AIR FORCE - The Boeing Co., Seattle, Washington, has been awarded a $2,628,005,872 modification (P00165) to previously awarded contract FA8625-11-C-6600 for Lot 5 production KC-46 aircraft, initial spares, and support equipment.  
The contract modification provides for the exercise of an option for an additional quantity of 15 KC-46 aircraft, data, two spare engines, five wing refueling pod kits, initial spares, support equipment, subscriptions and licenses, and G081 flat file being produced under the basic contract.  
Work will be performed in Seattle, Washington, and is expected to be completed by March 2023. 
Fiscal 2017 aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $112,957,314; fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $363,104,247; and fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $2,151,944,310 are being obligated at the time of award.  
The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity.

... https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/1973911/ ...

Anche qui ... flightglobal.com ... https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/usaf-awards-boeing-26bn-contract-for-15-kc-46a-tan-461181/ ...

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I 3 grossi problemi dell'aerocisterna e come risolverli:

Il blocchi del carico si lascano? Si usa un sistema di blocco secondario.

Il sistema video attraverso il quale l'operatore vede il boom distorce le immagini e ha problemi con le mutevoli condizioni di illuminazione? Si cambiano le lenti agli "occhiali" e si usano dei correttivi software.

Quanto al problema dell'asta si dovrà lavorare sull'attuatore perchè L'A-10 ha i motori piuttosto "fiappi" e non riesce adeguatamente a comprimere l'asta...Chi paga? L'USAF perchè non era stata chiara nelle specifiche...

Poi c'è il piccolo dettaglio dei pod subalari per il rifornimento col sistema a imbuto...che stanno andando lunghi con le certificazioni...

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeings-plan-to-get-the-kc-46a-tanker-back-on-sched-461841/

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USAF ... ed ora fanno 23 !!!

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In rotta verso il Dubai Airshow ...

Il rifornitore ... rifornito ...

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Beh almeno sappiamo di chi è la colpa e chi paga...

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The refuelling boom design problem was caused by faulty guidelines given to Boeing by the USAF. The manufacturer will be paid by the service to fix the issue.

The remote vision system is Boeing’s mistake and will be resolved at its expense, with a critical review of design changes likely coming towards the end of 2020, the company has said.

https://www.flightglobal.com/fixed-wing/boeing-kc-46a-to-resume-cargo-and-passenger-flights-after-cargo-lock-fixes/135908.article

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Una cosa è certa ... per Boeing questo è un periodo più che nero ... 

Ultimo guaio ... il parziale fallimento della missione della navicella spaziale Starliner ...

... nasa.gov ... https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-statement-on-boeing-orbital-flight-test ...

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KC-46A ... Boeing continua a perderci ...

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Boeing has incurred another $148 million in losses for its KC-46 program due to higher than expected manufacturing costs, as the company works with the Air Force to address continued deficiencies in the tanker’s capabilities.
The company disclosed the loss in a Jan. 31 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, stating the “reach-forward losses” of $148 million follows $736 million last year, and $445 million the year before. 
Boeing has already absorbed more than $3 billion in losses on the fixed-price KC-46 contract.
Boeing, in the filing, says it expects the full contract value, for all 179 aircraft and options exercised, will be about $30 billion. 
To date, 30 aircraft have been delivered.
The same day as the SEC filing, the Pentagon’s Department of Operational Test and Evaluation released its 2019 annual report on the program, detailing the deficiencies still impacting the fleet (*).

... airforcemag.com ... Boeing Reports Another $148 Million in KC-46 Losses ...

(*) ... https://www.dote.osd.mil/Portals/97/pub/reports/FY2019/af/2019kc46a.pdf?ver=2020-01-30-115238-610 ...

 

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Il Dipartimento di Stato USA approva la vendita ad Israele di otto KC-46A ...  

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The US State Department has approved the sale of eight Boeing KC-46A Pegasus in-flight refuelling tankers to Israel for an estimated $2.4 billion.
The US Congress has been notified of the possible sale, says the Defense Security Cooperation Agency on 3 March (*).
The potential sale to Tel Aviv comes after the Boeing KC-46A has suffered years of delays and weak Foreign Military Sales.

... flightglobal.com ... US State Department approves sale of 8 Boeing KC-46A tankers to Israel ...

(*) ... Israel – KC-46A Aerial Refueling Aircraft ...

Anche qui ... defensenews.com ... U.S. State Department approves $2.4B sale of KC-46s to Israel ...

Al tempo stesso ... slitta ulteriormente la soluzione dei problemi che continuano ad affliggere il velivolo ...

... defensenews.com ... A fix for the KC-46 is already a year late ... 

 

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Intanto ... per risolvere i problemi che ancora affliggono il KC-46A ... potrebbe addirittura intervenire il Congresso ... 

... airforcemag.com ... Congress May Intervene to Speed KC-46 Fixes ... 

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KC 46 e KC 767 AMI quali problemi?

Quali? Beh, ora anche questo...

KC-46, P-8 production to stop as Boeing temporarily shuts down facilities

 

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Ormai è un massacro ... sotto tutti gli aspetti ...

... flightglobal.com ... https://www.flightglobal.com/air-transport/americas-23-march-in-review-boeing-shuts-seattle-factories-airlines-repatriate-citizens/137485.article ...

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Perdita di carburante ... ed ora si passa a "difetto di 1^ categoria" ... 

... flightglobal.com ... https://www.flightglobal.com/fixed-wing/fuel-is-leaking-from-the-boeing-kc-46a-in-flight-refuelling-tanker/137624.article ...

... airforcemag.com ... https://www.airforcemag.com/usaf-announces-new-kc-46-category-one-deficiency/ ...

 

 

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Anche su DefenseNews ...

... https://www.defensenews.com/air/2020/03/31/the-air-forces-kc-46-tanker-has-another-serious-technical-deficiency-and-boeing-is-stuck-paying-for-it/ ...

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Remote Vision System ... trovato l'accordo ... e Boeing pagherà di tasca propria ...

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Boeing and the Air Force have finalized an agreement to fix the KC-46 aerial refueling tanker’s most serious technical problem, Defense News has learned front puts an end to years of negotiations between the Air Force and aerospace giant over the nature and extent of redesign work needed to correct the Remote Vision System, the collection of cameras and sensors that provide boom operators the imagery needed to steer the boom into another aircm multiple sources familiar with the matter.
The agreemeraft and safely transfer fuel.
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Under the terms of Boeing’s fixed-price firm contract and previous agreements with the service, the company will be financially responsible for paying for the entirety of the redesign effort. 
The company has already exceeded the $4.9 billion ceiling on the contract, and has paid more than $3.5 billion in cost overruns as technical problems have mounted.

... defensenews.com ... Done deal: Boeing will have to rip and replace KC-46 sensor and camera systems on its own dime ...

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Ulteriormente ...

... flightglobal.com ... USAF gives Boeing $882m to help cash flow and fix KC-46 refuelling boom camera ...

... airforcemag.com ... USAF, Boeing Reach Plan to Replace KC-46’s Problematic Remote Vision System ...

... af.mil ... Air Force, Boeing agree on final KC-46 RVS 2.0 design ...

... defensenews.com ... Boeing to get $882M in withheld KC-46 funds back for COVID-19 ...

Modificato 3 Aprile 2020 da TT-1 Pinto
***

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Si continua a rinviare ...

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The Air Force has officially delayed the KC-46’s full-rate production decision milestone until 2024 as the next-generation tanker works through problems plaguing its Remote Vision System, the service announced June 8.
The Air Force and the Pentagon’s Director of Operational Test and Evaluation decided the KC-46’s initial operational test and evaluation will only conclude after the RVS deficiencies are resolved, and the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center has tested the aircraft in its final production configuration, the service said in a statement.

... airforcemag.com ... KC-46 Full-Rate Production Pushed Back to 2024 ...

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Il C-17 ... un cargo tuttofare ...

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Air Mobility Command is testing how its workhorse strategic airlifter can not only carry in combat weapons systems, but also directly contribute to a fight by dropping bombs and providing targeting data for artillery.
As part of the high-tech Advanced Battle Management System “onramp” evaluations earlier this month, AMC C-17s tested dropping joint direct attack munitions, making the lumbering mobility jets effectively serve as bombers, AMC boss Gen. Jacqueline D. Van Ovost said Sept. 14 during the Air Force Association’s virtual Air, Space & Cyber Conference.

... airforcemag.com ... C-17s Serve as Bombers, Artillery Targeting Systems in AMC Tests ...

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KC-46 ... continua la corsa per mettere una pezza ad una delle tante deficienze del velivolo ...

... aviationweek.com ... USAF Inches Closer To KC-46 Vision System Decision ...

... defensenews.com ... Air Force needs more data before making a decision on enhanced KC-46 vision system ...

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Ogni giorno ... una nuova ... 

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Boeing has delayed the delivery of one KC-46 tanker to the New Hampshire Air National Guard because of an electrical problem on the airplane, though the company says it’s a limited issue that will not broadly affect the schedule for the problem-ridden program.
This particular KC-46, set to be the eighth for the 157th Air Refueling Wing at Pease Air National Guard Base, is delayed because of the “minor electrical problem on this airplane that was found by our rigorous acceptance testing process,” Boeing said in a statement.
The company believes there is a poor electrical connection that needs to be removed and reinstalled. 
While a radar warning receiver is showing a fault while in flight, Boeing says the electrical problem is not a design flaw and does not make it unsafe to fly.
The company is considering a way to fix the aircraft, and expects the problem will be remedied within the next several days. 
Boeing is working with the Air Force on the new delivery schedule.

... airforcemag.com ... Electrical Problems Delay Delivery of KC-46 to New Hampshire ...

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Il SecDef è preoccupato ... 

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Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper on Oct. 15 said he is keeping a close eye on the modernity and readiness of the Air Force’s tanker fleet.
“When I think about strategic mobility, I think about airlift and sealift principally, and with airlift, you have to think about tankers,” he told Thomas W. Spoehr, director of the Heritage Foundation’s Center for National Defense, during an on-stage discussion at the Washington think tank. 
“And so one of the concerns I have out there is, you know, is our tanker fleet modern and ready?”

… airforcemag.com … SECDEF Is Worried about USAF’s Current-and Future-Tanker Fleet …

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Boeing sta continuando a pagare di tasca propria ... ma, per quanto concerne lo iellato programma, intravede un futuro migliore ...

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Boeing will pay another $67 million out of pocket for the KC-46 program, a cost attributed to COVID-19-related cost overruns and productivity deficiencies, though company leaders say the tanker won’t be a “drag” on the company’s bottom line much longer.
In a third quarter earnings call with investors, Boeing disclosed the charge as part of an overall $6.8 billion decrease in revenue for its Defense, Space & Security division. 
The charge comes as the company is redesigning the tanker’s problematic remote vision system and is facing another delivery delay.
However, Air Force and Boeing leaders have said the agreement on the new RVS 2.0 system, set to be installed in about three years, means there’s better news on the horizon for a tanker program that has been met with bad news at seemingly every turn in recent years.

… airforcemag.com … Boeing Reports $67M KC-46 Charge, But Expects Tanker Program to Turn Around …

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E ... dopo il KC-46A ... cosa mai verrà ?
... il KC-Y ... un'avio-cisterna "ponte" ...  

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The Air Force is moving forward with its “bridge tanker” project - the air-refueling aircraft acquisition formerly known as “KC-Y” - in a “full and open competition” to replace the KC-135 Stratotanker fleet. 
It is a stepping stone to a more futuristic tanker, Air Mobility Command boss Gen. Jacqueline D. Van Ovost said Oct. 27.
This particular tanker would bridge the gap in capabilities offered by the 179 Boeing KC-46s currently being delivered and a later tanker known as “KC-Z.”
Speaking at the Airlift/Tanker Association’s virtual conference, Van Ovost distinguished between the bridge tanker, ongoing studies of fee-for-service commercial tanking to bolster the military’s capacity, and the still-undefined KC-Z program.
“The Secretary of the Air Force has committed to a continuous recapitalization of tanker aircraft,” Van Ovost said. 
“We’re going to have a bridge tanker—we’ll have a full and open competition—on an aircraft to continue to recapitalize … the KC-135.”

… airforcemag.com … After KC-46, USAF Looks Ahead to ‘Bridge Tanker’ …

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La Air National Guard del New Hampshire ha ricevuto due KC-46A ...

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The New Hampshire Air National Guard received its eighth and ninth KC-46 on Nov. 6, one of which was delayed for more than a month due to electrical issues.
The 157th Air Refueling Wing at Pease will receive 12 of the tankers. 
Pegasus No. 8 was originally expected to be delivered the week of Sept. 28, but the Defense Contract Management Agency discovered an electrical issue on the aircraft during a pre-acceptance inspection. 
Since Boeing did not have a tanker readily available to complete the inspection process, delivery was delayed until Nov. 6.

… airforcemag.com … Pease Receives 2 KC-46s, Including 1 Previously Delayed by Electrical Issues …