Lockheed Martin LMXT (KC-Y Bridge Tanker)

History of the Lockheed Martin LMXT (KC-Y Bridge Tanker)

The LMXT was Lockheed Martin's attempt to protect the KC-Y "bridge tanker" stocked by the United States Air Force (USAF) machine". The platform is built on the framework of the proven French Airbus A330 airliner - more specifically, the A330 Multipurpose Tanker Transport (MRTT) derivative - which has proven itself to be a leader in aerial refueling by various European and Western countries Air power including Australia, France, Germany and the United Kingdom.

The competition seeks to create a "bridge" product between the aging U.S. Air Force tanker fleet and the upcoming Boeing KC-46A Pegasus tanker product, based on the Boeing 767 airliner.

The service is expected to deliver the winning product sometime after 2029. LMXT is known as a strategic level solution that utilizes all modern and advanced technologies to function. Key components of the Lockheed proposal include a Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) open systems architecture, longer range, higher fuel payloads and digitally controlled fly-by-wire (FbW)/automatic air-to-air refueling arms ( A3R) with advanced cameras and vision sensors. The aircraft will carry an enhanced defensive countermeasure system to improve survivability in contested airspace/theater zones.

The airframe will also provide network communications between all battlefield resources -- from satellites and warships to allied fighter jets and bombers.

Using the popular French A330 with an add-on proposed by Lockheed Martin, hoping to ensure rapid development of the required aircraft.

LMXT will be able to refuel all, if not most, aircraft currently in service with the USAF, including F-22 and F-15 air superiority fighters, F-35A strike fighters, F-16 light aircraft, B-1 Strategic bomber, C-17 heavy transport and E-3/E-7/P-8 special mission platform.

Based on the Airbus A330, the aircraft will retain much of the form and function of a commercial airliner; beneath each main swept-wing aircraft (covered with fuel-efficient winglets) are a pair of underwater turbofan engines without afterburners . The flight deck is in a traditional position above the nose, and the empennage includes a large vertical fin with a deep, swept horizontal plane. As with the commercial A330 series, a retractable tricycle landing gear will provide ground running assistance.

Current estimated (2021) specifications for the LMXT include a length of 193 feet, a wingspan of 198 feet, and a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 533,500 pounds. Full fuel load weight is 271,700 lbs.

Cruising speed will be around Mach 0.81, and the mission endurance window will be set at 19.5 hours, providing almost 24/7 support for ongoing operations.

Specification

Basics

Year of Service

2030

Origins

United States

Status

Under development

Program is running.

Crew

3

Production

0

Manufacturer

Lockheed Martin - USA; Airbus - France

Carrier

US (probably)

ROLLING

Air Refueling (Tanker)

Special or modified airframes used to fuel waiting Allied aircraft.

X-Plane (development, prototyping, tech demos)

Aircraft designed for prototyping, technology demonstration, or research/data collection.

Notable Features

Radar Capability

Houses may house (via specialized variants) radars for searching, tracking, and attacking enemy elements.

Countermeasures

Onboard electronic or physical countermeasures taken by the aircraft or pilot/crew to enhance survivability.

Multi-engine

Include two or more engines to improve survivability and/or performance.

wing sweep

The main plane or leading edge has retraction lines for improved high speed performance and handling.

wings

Main aircraft covered with winglets for improved fuel efficiency and handling.

High-speed performance

Can accelerate to higher speeds than the average aircraft at the time.

High performance

The ability to fly and operate at higher altitudes than the average aircraft of the day.

Extended range performance

Ability to travel long distances using on-board fuel supplies.

Super performance

The design covers the three key performance categories of speed, altitude and range.

Operation Lakes

Able to operate over the ocean and survive certain harsh marine environments.

Depression in crew members

Support the pressurization required for crew survival at higher operating altitudes.

Crew management

In addition to the pilot, the aircraft also employs additional crew members who specialize in specific functions on the aircraft.

Closed crew room

There are partially or fully enclosed crew work areas.

Scalable

Has retractable/retractable landing gear to maintain aerodynamic efficiency.

Dimensions and Weight

Length

193. 0 feet

(58.83m)

Width/span

198. 0 feet

(60.35m)

Height

57. 0 feet

(17.37m)

Cured weight

275,578 lbs

(125,000 kg)

MTOW

533,519 lbs

(242,000 kg)

Wgt Difference

+?257,941

(+117,000 kg)

Main aircraft structure

monoplane/low mount/sweep

Monoplane

Designed to use a single main wing main aircraft; this is the most popular arrangement of main aircraft.

install low

The main aircraft is mounted low on the side of the fuselage.

swipe back

The floor plan features a swept wing along the leading edge of the main aircraft, promoting higher operating speeds.

(struct descriptor reference production variant Lockheed LMXT)

Performance

Installed:

2 Rolls-Royce Trent 722B or GE CF6-80E1A4 or Pratt & Whitney PW4170 non-afterburning turbofan engines, each producing up to 72,000 lbs of thrust.

Maximum speed

637 km/h

(1,025 km/h | 553 knots)

Cruising speed

621 km/h

(1,000 km/h | 540 kn)

Maximum speed difference

+26 km/h

(+25 km/h | 13 kn)

Maximum

42,700 feet

(13,015 m | 8 km)

Area

9,196 km

(14,800 km | 27,410 nautical miles)

Range (MPH) Subsonic: <614mph | Transonic: 614-921 | Hypersonic: 921-3836 | Hypersonic: 3836-7673 | Hypersonic: 7673-19180 | Reentry: > 19030

Armor

None. Airborne systems are used only for defensive countermeasures.

VARIANTS

LMXT - Sequence name of the base program.