Defense Acquisitions: Air Force Decision to Include a Passenger and Cargo Capability in Its Replacement Refueling Aircraft Was Made Without Required Analyses

The United States Air Force has described aerial refueling as a key capability. Currently, the Air Force uses two aircraft for aerial refueling the KC-135 and the KC-10. While the KC-10 fleet has an average age greater than 20 years, the KC-135 fleet averages more than 46 years and is the oldest combat weapon system in the Air Force inventory. Consequently, the Air Force intends to replace or recapitalize the KC-135 first. According to Air Force officials, the recapitalization process may cost between 72 billion and 120 billion and will span decades. Because of broad congressional interest, the Government Accountability Office GAO is currently reviewing, under the Comptroller Generals authority to conduct evaluations on his own initiative, the Analysis of Alternatives for the recapitalization of the KC-135 aircraft. On December 15, 2006, the GAO briefed congressional staff on our preliminary observations. This letter expands on the information discussed in that briefing and includes recommendations to the Secretary of Defense. The GAO plans to complete its review of the Analysis of Alternatives and report the results in early summer 2007.