Article Posted on : - Jul 08, 2010

The winner of the KC-X programme is slated to replace older KC-135s of US Air Force.

LOS ANGELES (BNS): Antonov and US Aerospace, Inc. have announced to bid together for the KC-X tanker modernisation programme of the US Air Force (USAF).

Both companies have entered into a strategic cooperation agreement to bid on the request for proposal to supply 179 aerial refueling tankers to the USAF.

�Antonov�s participation in the USAF tanker bid with US Aerospace, Inc. is an historic opportunity for Antonov to showcase its premier design, engineering and manufacturing capabilities to the world,� Dmytro S. Kiva, President and General Designer of Antonov, said in a news release by the US Aerospace.

Under the agreement, both companies will bid for the three models of KC-X programme, the AN-124-KC, AN-122-KC, a twin-engine variant of the AN-124-100 with advanced engines, electronics and avionics and AN-112-KC, an updated airframe designed specifically to meet the tanker programme requirements.

According to the release, the tanker modernisation programme is expected to be the largest contract in Pentagon history.

The AN-225 aircraft which is designed, built and operates by Antonov provides strategic airlift capabilities for the US Department of Defense and others.