Damn, I meant to address this, but failed to get to it in my original reply, and am to late to add an edit.
I am not sure about Boeing delivering on time, again.
aviationweek.com
breakingdefense.sites.breakingmedia.com
A330 MRTT has always had the ability to increase the fuel load relatively easily, because Airbus deliberately didn't sacrifice cargo space to maximise the fuel capacity. Apparently, that's what the customers want. From what I've read, the option of adding fuel tanks in the cargo hold was there if a customer wanted it (& presumably, was willing to pay for modification), but none of them did.
KC-135 isn't quite a 707. The USAF wanted something with a wider (by 12"/30.5 cm) fuselage than the prototype, & committed to that before the commercial 707 went into production - slightly wider again, but only by 4", & a few metres longer.
Since I was talking about the E7 my statement is accurate as the E3 is not based on KC 135 but 707-320 the 707 family was type classified for USAF use as the C137 and VC137. Critical here is they all are retaining the old engines. As such they are maintenance hogs.
Statement from the USAF. So, semi-reliable source I would say /s/That's interesting. I remember thinking a while ago that it was close enough in size & thrust to be a possible replacement, but I was thinking hypothetically, not really expecting it. Then it actually got offered, but I still wasn't sure the USAF would buy it.
Bloody hell! It's on Wikipedia already! 608 engines, it says.
So . . . B-52s will get German engines.
RR said a few days ago that tests confirmed "the engine design and performance are a perfect fit for the B-52".
Aha! since you posted that Aviation Week has reported it -
Rolls-Royce Wins B-52 Re-engining Contract | Aviation Week Network
A usually reliable source, eh?
Personally, I'm not buying into the program actually getting executed until at least one plane has eight new engines installed, and has been test flown.
Not sure how the KC-46 plays into retirement of TF33 engines as all KC-135E aircraft equipped with the engines have been retired for over a decade. As far as I can tell the USAF use of the TF33 is on the B-52s, E-3s, E-8s and an assorted collection of C-135 based surveillance planes
First the re-engine if the KC135 had slipped my mind. Next C135 series are all slated in some form or another for replacement. Due to parts or age.
breakingdefense.com
breakingdefense.com
The electronic warfare system that is already used on the EC-130H will probably be transferred to the EC-37B.Delivery to the USAF of the first EC-37B (Gulfstream G550) is still anticipated to be over a year away, but a nice step forward.
11 aircraft programed, 10 combat-coded and one trainer, to replace the 14 plane fleet of EC-130Hs.
New Compass Call Electronic Warfare Plane Takes To The Skies - Breaking Defense
The U.S. Air Force is one step closer to having a new aircraft for jamming enemy communications.
The article specifically states that the first 5 aircraft will receive systems from the EC-130H along with new technology. The 6th aircraft on will receive open architecture systems to simplify adding new EW payloads in the future.
The UK decided not to overhaul & update its E-3s because it was estimated to cost more, per year of remaining life, than buying E-7s - which would be cheaper to operate & more capable.First the re-engine if the KC135 had slipped my mind. Next C135 series are all slated in some form or another for replacement. Due to parts or age.
I am posting now as a Oped was posted in Breaking defense pushing for E7 again.
It’s not just the engines but the whole system. E3 is finishing a overhaul but it’s still old. It should have been replaced years ago. As an Interim it wouldn’t be limited to the paccom but system wide due to the increasing obsolescence in the system vs the immaturity of the projected space based platform. Focusing only on the push which began in PACCOM but isn’t limited to it. The main advantage of the E7 is existing production and support of the 737-700 platform from engine to airframe to radar.Between E-3 And Eyes In Space, The Air Force Needs A Bridge, Now - Breaking Defense
The Air Force has valiantly breathed life into the decades-old E-3 Sentry platform, but as top service officials recently suggested, it can no longer wait for the jump to space-based systems, the authors write in this op-ed. The Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ Bradley Bowman, Maj. Lauren...
www.flightglobal.com
Sounds like the E-3 is getting very difficult to keep operating, not surprising due to the age of the 707. They will get plenty of help from the RAAF in introducing the E-7 as well.