When it comes down to whether or not the MD-11 would make a good Air Force Tanker for what they are looking for, the answer is no. The current Air Force Jet Tanker fleet consists of KC-135's and KC-10's. The Air Force was/is looking for a replacement for the far older KC-135's. The KC-767 is the a far more logical choice in that it is closer to the KC-135 in size than your proposed KC-11 (which is larger than the KC-10). The only advantage of having a KC-11 is the fact it'd be a tri-jet, but that still doesn't help with the fact that it is way bigger than what is necessary. Now, I like the MD-11, but like the 747, it is a dated design. McDonnell/Douglas failed with the MD-11 because, it had older technology still incorporated and at the time it hit the market, new twin jets were at the capabilities it was at and, upcomming designs were far exceeding it. There will come a time in the future, when twin jets will even replace 4 engine jets, Airbus is already starting to lean more towards the A350 and away from the A340 for this exact reason.
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Now that I have my damn Air New Zealand DC-10-30; Where's my damn Air New Zealand 737-300 (N/C), DC-8-52 (Kuru and Star Liveries), DC-8-54F and 787!?!
Private Pilot as of 19 MAR 04.
Instrument Rated as of 06 AUG 04.
Commercial Pilot as of 29 MAR 05.
Multi-Engine Rated as of 28 MAY 05.
Advanced Ground Instructor as of 10 MAR 06
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