Thu, Aug 19, 2004
International Air Systems Submits Proposal To Air
Force
International Air Systems, Inc. of Elk Grove Village (IL) says
it has submitted a proposal to the Air Force for the
recapitalization of the KC-135. This proposal provides for 100 new
air-refueling tanker/transport aircraft using a "Private Financing
Initiative" method for the funding of the aircraft and a "Contract
Air Refueling" service to provide air mobility support to the Air
Force in the form of air-refueling and/or airlift operations.
The first phase of the proposal calls for delivery of 100
tankers to the Air Force. The price tag is between $1.8 billion and
$2.2 billion through the first 10 years of service. That includes
30,000 hours of flying time for air mobility support along with the
required logistical and maintenance support. Additional services to
the Air Force are included in the proposal. The proposal offered to
the Air Force provides a developed plan for the full
recapitalization of the KC-135 fleet at a considerable cost savings
compared to leasing or purchasing of new aircraft.
IAS says its proposal compares "very favorably" to the
controversial proposal put forth by Boeing to lease a hundred 767
tankers. Boeing's proposal is estimated to cost the Air Force
approximately $35B over the 10 year period. IAS' proposal compared
to Boeing's proposal would provide the Air Force with a $15B cost
savings over the 10 years with additional cost savings of $4.0B
occurring from the reduction of current military air refueling
operations and infrastructure. Many additional benefits to the DOD
and our nation can be derived from IAS' plan to recapitalize the
KC-135 fleet.
IAS says its plans are based on new Boeing aircraft using a
mixed fleet approach, which better meets the needs of the DOD's air
refueling requirements. These aircraft will be fully equipped and
capable to meet the Air Force's Operational Requirements Document
for air refueling. The plan proposed provides for worldwide
capabilities and integrates with existing military operations to
meet wartime or contingency operations.
The proposal that IAS has submitted to the Air Force also
suggests that there are various options that will:
- provide immediate cost savings in KC-135 operations
- provide new tankers more quickly as research and development of
the mixed fleet aircraft under IAS' proposal occurs
- an option to increase the Air Force's airlift capabilities
through the private acquisition of C-17 aircraft in a parallel
program.
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