Air Mobility Plan, 2008 - The Black Vault

path (life expectancy estimated to 2040). Following a comprehensive business case analysis, the
AMC Commander approved the termination of the KC-10 GATM program and directed the initiation
of KC-10 Aircraft Modernization Program (AMP). This program addressed providing net-centric
communications, enhanced survivability, capabilities to meet CNS/ATM, survivability, and force
protection requirements, as well as improvements in the aircraft’s reliability and maintainability.
Due to affordability issues, KC-10 AMP was descoped with CNS/ATM addressed under the
KC-10 AEP and the remaining capabilities addressed under stand-alone capabilities development
documents (CDDs).
More efforts are planned to ensure the KC-10 can provide the required mission capabilities. Defensive
systems are required to ensure missions performed in hostile infrared (IR) and radio frequency (RF)
threat environments can be performed. With the widespread use of night vision devices, KC-10s
need to be modified with NVD-compatible interior
and external lighting. The proliferation of weapons of
mass destruction drives the need to conduct operations
following the employment of chemical and biological
weapons (see 2008 C-CBRN Roadmap).
• First Flight: 1979
• First Operational Aircraft Delivered: 1981
• Last Operational Aircraft Delivered: 1990
• Average Age of Fleet: 22 years
• Range (Unrefueled): More than 11,500 miles
• Crew Ratio: Active, 2.0; Associate Reserve, 1.5
Key Capability Improvements
Numerous capability improvement programs are ongoing or planned for the KC-10 fleet with HQ
AMC priorities identified by the Requirements and Planning Council Process.
KC-10 Roadmap
(b)(5)
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OCT 07 73