DISCUSSION: USAF PB21 Program Balance Decision imposes additional KC-10/KC-135
cuts in FY21 (10 x KC-10 and 13 x KC-135) and further reductions in FY22 and beyond, prior to the projected availability of operational KC-46 aircraft. This creates a capacity bathtub with significant impacts to Combatant Command wartime and daily competition missions and negatively impacts senior leader decision space for mobilization if confronted with a crisis. USTRANSCOM seeks to reverse this outcome for FY21 and buy back the 10 x KC-10 and 13 x KC-135 aircraft. For FY22 and beyond, any further AR aircraft reductions would be on a “year- by-year review,” based on KC-46 progress. The expected cost of buying back this critical capability is approximately $110M.
RECOMMENDATION: For FY21, buy back 10 x KC-10 and 13 x KC-135 aircraft at a cost of approximately $110M. USTRANSCOM Fiscal Year 2021 Unfunded Priorities List Priority USTRANSCOM FY21 Unfunded Priorities Appn BLI PE TY$M 2 Surge Ship Readiness 1804 02-2A1F 0408042N $85.1
USTRANSCOM Fiscal Year 2021 Unfunded Priorities List Description
2. Surge Sealift - Readiness - $85.1M
Provides funding to address maintenance backlog for 15 Military Sealift Command operated sealift ships. Includes full funding of (4) 5-year regulatory drydocking overhauls for SHUGHART, YANO, GORDON and KOCAK and class maintenance, spare parts and obsolescence prevention for all ships.
