Lockheed Martin declines to respond to KC-135 Recapitalization air-to-air tanker RFI

Lockheed Martin is ending its LMXT programme. (Lockheed Martin photo by Brandon Stoker)

Lockheed Martin will not respond to the US Air Force's (USAF's) request for information (RFI) on the KC-135 Recapitalization programme, the company said in a 23 October statement, likely ending the chances of a competition.

“Lockheed Martin has decided not to respond to the U.S. Air Force's KC-135 fleet recapitalization Request for Information (RFI),” the company said in the statement.

The company declined to add much detail in response to questions from Janes , other than to note that it continued to have faith in the Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) platform and that “throughout this entire process, we listened to what our [USAF] customer shared regarding its immediate and future strategic tanking requirements”.

Airbus intends to continue with a tanker bid on its own, the company told Janes on 23 October.

“Airbus remains committed to providing the US Air Force and our warfighters with the most modern and capable tanker on the market and will formally respond to the United States Air Force KC-135 Recapitalization RFI. The A330 US-MRTT is a reliable choice for the [USAF]: one that will deliver affordability, proven performance, and unmatched capabilities.”