Page 104 - Five Forces of Americanisation Richard Hooke 04072025 final post SDR1

The UK Defence Industry in the 21 Century
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The Five Forces of Americanisation

March, 2025
“Boeing has revealed details about cracks that recently prompted it to halt deliveries of KC-46
military tankers, while insisting the issue will not seriously disrupt the programme.
“KC-46 cracks will not affect 2024 deliveries, rework ‘not a big deal’: (Boeing)”
th
(John Hemmerdinger, Flight Global, 19 March, 2025)

Tankers are considered “force multipliers”. They deliver considerable tactical advantages, since aerial
refuelling adds to the combat radius of attack, allowing aircraft to remain airborne longer and thereby
reducing the number of aircraft necessary to accomplish a given mission. It can also mitigate basing
issues that might otherwise place limitations on combat payload. Aircraft operating from airfields with
shorter runways particularly benefit because their takeoff weight must be limited, usually requiring a
choice between fuel (providing range) and combat payload (munitions). Aerial refuelling eliminates
many of these difficulties because aircraft can take off with a full payload and refuel in flight.
89 KC-46 tankers are currently in service, with Japan, who manufacture 16% of the airframe, adding
a further nine aircraft in September 2024 to the four ordered in December, 2017

KC-46 Pegasus refueling aircraft participate in an elephant walk at Pease Air National Guard Base
(Staff Sgt. Victoria Nelson/US Air Force)

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