Singapore Airshow 2022: Airbus banks on ‘beauty’ of longer-range tanker for KC-Y
Concept art of the LMXT strategic tanker. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)
Airbus has high hopes of landing a new tanker contract with the USAF, as it and prime Lockheed Martin bet on their joint LMXT concept to deliver an extended-range capability for the KC-Y programme.
Airbus is confident its partnership with Lockheed Martin on the future LMXT strategic tanker can deliver on USAF ambitions to operate at increasingly longer ranges.
LMXT will have a greater fuel capacity than the A330 MRTT upon which the former is based. It will be integrated with a range of US systems by Lockheed Martin, which would act as the prime manufacturer on the effort.
It will also oversee conversion and production activities – all dependent on securing a KC-Y production contract with as many as 140-160 aircraft expected to be procured from 2029 onward.
‘Longer range means that there are
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Defence Notes
-
![Ireland spells out $2.3 billion shopping list in five-year defence spending plan]()
Ireland spells out $2.3 billion shopping list in five-year defence spending plan
Ireland’s multi-annual investment in capital defence spending is set to rise from €300m in 2026 to €360m in 2029–2030 with major upgrades across land, air, maritime and cyber domains.
-
![Canada set to look away from its neighbour and across the Atlantic for partners]()
Canada set to look away from its neighbour and across the Atlantic for partners
While non-EU UK struggles to join the Security Action for Europe initiative, which provides loans for defence programmes, Canada has become the first country outside Europe to get access – and did so for a nominal fee.
-
![NATO experiments with solutions to integrate networks, AI and uncrewed systems]()
NATO experiments with solutions to integrate networks, AI and uncrewed systems
During the latest edition of the NATO DiBaX, the alliance tested multiple capabilities to inform requirements for future efforts.
-
![Leonardo unveils plans for Michelangelo air defence dome]()
Leonardo unveils plans for Michelangelo air defence dome
The new multi-layered defence system will harness AI to neutralise airborne threats and protect Europe from Russian aggression.
