Saudis Secure More Aerial Tankers0(Por qué )

strategy ^ | 7/31/09 | strategy

[Flavius]

July 29, 2009: Saudi Arabia has ordered another three Airbus A330 tankers, for aerial refueling and carrying cargo. The Airbus MRTT is based on the twin engine Airbus 330-300, which normally sells for $160 million each. The 233 ton MRTT carries 111 tons of fuel, plus 43 tons of cargo (26 pallets).

[petertare]

We have defended these corrupt fat greazy muslims for decades—partly to stabilize the region to ensure a steady flow of oil.

These decadent terrorist supporters reward our support by purchasing the Euro Scarebus.

Soap em and make these decadent piles take a sand bath.

[GAB-1955]

The Saudis also buy a great deal of equipment from Europe and always have. The A330 is a versatile plane, that can carry cargo, fuel, or passengers. The RAF and the Australians use it now. Better Airbus than Boeing in this case.

[wendy1946]

The only use I can think of for Saudis wanting refueling planes would be to assist Israel in whatever kind of **** is about to take place over Iran.

[Jabba the Nutt]

That’s what I was thinking.

[ZOOKER]

The Saudis have their own air force with F-15 fighters, so they have a use for tankers. The ME is destabilizing with Iran, Iraq, Hamas, the PA, etc resurgent. US forces are moving out of Iraq to Afghanistan. If the SHTF, the Saudis may have to defend themselves against attack this time.

[2CAVTrooper]

The A330 MRTT is a much more capable aircraft than that antiquated KC-767 that Boeing has been trying to cram down the Airforce’s throats. It carries more fuel, cargo, passengers. Has a longer range, and endurance time. At 1,000 nautical miles, it can offload 53 tons more fuel than the KE-3A (Saudi KC-135) it's replacing, and almost 40 tons more fuel than the KC-767. It can also take off with more fuel from a 7,000ft runway than the KC-767 is able to do.

[yankeebulldog]

Heh heh... all exactly correct. However, the original spec was for the “new tanker” to fit in the old KC-135 hangars and mx sheds. Any guesses on how badly the KC-777 blows the doors off the Airbus? Its not even close, but that’s not what the USAF originally asked for.

[wendy1946]

Refueling planes are not for defense; they’re offensive weapons. Area defense fighters don’t need them.

[PapaBear3625]

When you’re in a state of alert, refueling planes allow your fighters to stay up longer on patrol. You really want to avoid having the enemy destroy your planes on the ground.

[PapaBear3625]

Plus the F-15 has a max combat radius of 750 miles, and Saudi is bigger than that, so you need tankers.

[2CAVTrooper]

The KC-777 is in the same class as the KC-10, but this isn’t about the replacement of the KC-10.