Operational Challenge 3. In January 2022, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) directed the relocation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of the entire KC-10 deployed site in the United Arab Emirates in a matter of only weeks. Operational Challenge 4. As deployed KC-10 operations were planned to cease in September 2022, the Joint Staff required a 381-day extension of KC-10 deployments in the harsh environment of the Arabian Desert until October 2023. Acquisition Flexibilities Utilized To overcome the numerous hurdles of divestment of a major weapon system comprised of 59 aircraft and 2.9 million parts and equipment, the KC-10 SPO utilized multiple innovative solutions to meet both the U.S. Air Force (USAF) pro- grammatic objectives and the USAF Combat Force projection requirements at the same time for five consecutive years. First was the innovative application of a split Airframe Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) contract and separate Engine CLS contract. Competitively awarding these $2.0 billion and $1.1 billion contracts respectively reduced the risk bid by both winners, saving the Air Force $360 million over the nine-year Airframe contract and $720 million over the nine-year Engine Contract from the prior contractual agreements. And as performance-based contracts, direct leverage was applied by the KC-10 SPO to ensure USAF goals were met year after year. Secondly, with a small Program Office of 31 personnel, lack of acquisition and operational experience had to be systemically addressed to become successful. Thus, the KC-10 SPO utilized an innovative tactic to immerse every member to gain proficient operational knowledge of the KC-10’s warfighting mission. Of the 31 KC-10 SPO personnel, 100% were immersed in Wing Level operations to gain Air Mobility Command (AMC) familiarity, build trust and comradery with flightline units, and improve the performance and sustainment of the KC-10 weapon system. Ad- ditionally, 28 of the 31 (90%) KC-10 SPO personnel were sent into CENTCOM for a combat immersion experience. This intentional CENTCOM opportunity provided the most innovative return on investment as approximately 50% of all KC-10 aircraft sorties were flown there, directly supporting Operation SPARTAN SHIELD combat missions. This battlefield experience created ingenuities not feasible from a desk at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma; and produced multiple award-winning Aircraft Availability Improvement Program initiatives that not only increased safety for KC-10 aircrew and maintainers but also increased KC-10 performance capabilities. In both quantitative and qualitative measures, the KC-10 SPO took the KC-10 from a mediocre performing aircraft fleet to a Top 5 Program in only two years, and the Number One Program in only five years. Air Mobility Command witnessed the KC-10 SPO owned Total Non-Mission Capable for Supply (TNMCS) rates dramatically drop from double digits in FY18, to the #2 of the 29 USAF Large Fleets (20+ aircraft fleets) in FY20, to literally the number one TNMCS rate of all 48 U.S. Airforce Fleets in FY24. Additionally, the KC-10 SPO owned four of the five categories comprising Aircraft Availability (AA) rates and Mission Capable (MC) rates, in which near identical improvements were earned through the KC-10 SPO’s local adaptations to unique acquisition and operational challenges.
Table 1. KC-10 Performance Improvements from Initiatives
FY18
FY20
FY22
FY23
FY24
• 12.75%
• 4.30%
• 4.25%
• 3.13%
• 1.29%
TNMCS Rate • No Sparring Model • #21 of 33 Large Fleets • 62.25% AA Rate • Non-reporting issue • #12 of 33 Large Fleets • 68.29% MC Rate • Multiple Nonvations • #18 of 33 Large Fleets
TNMCS Rate • 9.69% USAF Avg • #2 of 33 Large Fleets • 70.93% AA Rate • 63.59% USAF Avg • #5 of 33 Large Fleets • 80.56% MC Rate • 72.86% USAF Avg • #4 of 33 Large Fleets
TNMCS Rate • 13.12% USAF Avg • #3 of 33 Large Fleets • 72.73% AA Rate • 59.11% USAF Avg • #2 of 33 Large Fleets • 80.40% MC Rate • 69.00% USAF Avg • #3 of 33 Large Fleets
TNMCS Rate • 15.76% USAF Avg • #1 of 33 Large Fleets • 78.91% AA Rate • 53.56% USAF Avg • #1 of 33 Large Fleets • 82.99% MC Rate • 63.84% USAF Avg • #2 of 33 Large Fleets
TNMCS Rate • 15.09% USAF Avg • #1 of 33 Large Fleets • 83.06% AA Rate • 52.38% USAF Avg • #1 of 33 Large Fleets • 85.25% MC Rate • 63.79% USAF Avg • #2 of 33 Large Fleets
Source: KC-10 Performance Improvements from Initiatives
DEFENSE ACQUISITION | May-June 2025
56
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker