Tanker Aircraft

The KC-135R Tanker Aircraft program is a Major Defense Acquisition Program (MDAP) managed by the Department of Defense under the Major Capability Acquisition pathway. The program oversees the acquisition and sustainment of the KC-135R aerial refueling tanker fleet through various maintenance, repair, overhaul, and modernization efforts. This acquisition program supports the ongoing operational capability of the KC-135 aircraft fleet through the procurement of parts, components, and engineering services.

The contract awards associated with this program primarily consist of repair, remanufacture, and overhaul services for critical KC-135 components including flight control systems, landing gear, cowlings, hydraulic systems, and avionics. Contract values range from small purchases of a few thousand dollars to larger engineering service contracts exceeding $7 million, with performance periods typically spanning 6 months to 4 years. The Department of the Air Force Materiel Command, particularly through the Lifecycle Management Center at Tinker Air Force Base, serves as the primary contracting authority. While most contracts are awarded without set-aside designations, some smaller procurements utilize Total Small Business set-asides. Notable contractors include Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation for sensor suite support and various specialized vendors for component-specific maintenance. Contract types are predominantly Firm Fixed Price, with some Cost Plus Fixed Fee arrangements for engineering services.