BOEING E-3 Sentry

Peter wrote:

Presumably a four engine aircraft could fly on two as I think the Nimrod did to increase its loiter time.

When you get aircraft airframes that are over 60 years old it really puts things into perspective when you cast your mind back to what happened to you in those 60 years, assuming some of you are over 60!

When I said "What will replace their role in the fleet? If it's P8 are we back in the realms of cost, and 4 engines vs 2 and so on ?" I was thinking of what would replace the E3 Sentry and its duties.

The 4 vs 2 engine debate is as much about maintenance costs and spares inventory as it is about fuel costs. We see the 747 relegated to freight where the margin per mile is better than passenger services, so still profitable. There are a lot of 2 engined freighters running out of East Midlands, 737, 757, 767, A330. It's a changing world.

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The KC135 replacement is starting to enter service, its the KC46. Yes its twin engined and its a variant of one of Boeings airliners, dont ask me which one as their all starting too look the same to me.