| KC-45 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Rendering of KC-45 refueling a B-2 | |
| Role | Tanker/transport |
| Manufacturer | EADS/Northrop Grumman |
| Status | Lost competition to KC-46 |
| Primary user | United States Air Force |
| Number built | None |
| Developed from | Airbus A330 MRTT |
The EADS/Northrop Grumman KC-45 was a proposed aerial refueling tanker aircraft based on the Airbus A330 MRTT. The United States Air Force (USAF) had ordered 179 KC-45As in the first stage of replacing the aging Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker tankers currently in service. However, the contest was reopened in July 2008, after Boeing's protest of the award was upheld. In response to the new contest, on 8 March 2010, Northrop Grumman announced it was abandoning its bid for the new contract, with its CEO stating that the revised bid requirement favoured Boeing.[1] On 20 April 2010, EADS (now known as Airbus SE) announced it was re-entering the competition and entered a bid with the KC-45.[2] Eventually, the USAF selected the Boeing KC-46 Pegasus.
- ^ Andrejczak, Matt (8 March 2010). "Northrop drops out of bid to make Air Force aerial tankers". San Francisco: MarketWatch. Retrieved 9 March 2010.
- ^ "EADS North America intends to submit proposal for U.S. Air Force tanker" (Press release). Leiden: Airbus. 20 April 2010. Archived from the original on 12 August 2016. Retrieved 16 June 2016.