Our buddy Steve Trimble over at Flight International reports that the U.S. Air Force is looking at the Airbus A380 as a possible replacement for the aging C-5 Galaxy and also, incredibly enough, the 747s used as Air Force One.
Our buddy Steve Trimble over at Flight International reports that the U.S. Air Force is looking at the Airbus A380 as a possible replacement for the aging C-5 Galaxy and also, incredibly enough, the 747s used as Air Force One.
Here's an excerpt from Steve's report:
The request may be linked to the USAFs ongoing review of a potentially over-budget re-engining and reliability improvement programme for the Lockheed Martin C-5 fleet. Lockheed insists the programme can be accomplished within the current budget, but USAF estimates indicate a 50% to 100% cost growth.
USAF officials were not immediately available to comment.
Separately, AMC also requested data from EADS about three Airbus jets as part of a market survey for VIP Large Aircraft Recapitalization, the source said. The survey solicited data about the A380, A340-600 and A330-200.
The USAF may soon need to recapitalize the VC-25 Air Force One and the US Navy also may face similar pressure to replace the E-4 Looking Glass airborne command post. Both aircraft are based on the Boeing 747-200 and entered service in the early 1990s. Many commercial airliners are retiring the 747-200 due to age and fuel inefficiency..
Read the entire report here.
-- Ward