Paul Lewis/SINGAPORE
FOUR COMPETING manufacturers are bidding to supply aerial-refueling tanker aircraft, to support the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) fleet of Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters.
Airbus Industrie, Boeing, Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) and McDonnell Douglas (MDC) are understood to have responded to a recent Singapore request for tenders for two or three tankers. A decision is expected by the end of the year.
The aircraft are required to be fitted with an air-to-air refueling boom, under-wing hose-drum units (HDUs) for probe-and-drogue operations, and to be capable of carrying cargo when not employed as tankers.
Whichever aircraft is selected, the conversion is likely to include the involvement of Singapore Technologies Aerospace.
The Airbus proposal is based on the multi-role tanker/transport (MRTT) A310. While Singapore Airlines operates a large number of commercial A310-200/300s, the MRTT version still requires a launch customer to fund initial development.
Boeing's 767-based tanker/ transport multi-mission aircraft is similarly in need of an initial buyer to get the programme off the ground. Japan, with its larger requirement is regarded as a more likely first customer.
IAI's Bedek Aviation division, in the meantime, is offering the Boeing 707 as a converted tanker.
MDC has proposed a modified DC-10-30 tri-jet, similar to that supplied to the Royal Netherlands Air Force. The KDC-10 conversion includes installing a flying boom, HDUs, side cargo door and reinforced cargo deck.
The RSAF will use the tankers primarily to support F-16s deployed to Australia and the USA for exercises. Singapore's larger fleet of aircraft and shortage of airspace has made foreign training an operational necessity.
It already operates four Lockheed KC-130As, which are in need of replacement, and a KC-130H. The converted turboprop transports are capable of supporting the RSAF's probe-equipped Northrop F-5E/Fs and MDC A-4S Skyhawks only, and not its F-16s which instead require a refueling boom.
Source: Flight International