Thu, Feb 22, 2007
First Of Four Tankers For JASDF
A Boeing flight test crew deployed the air refueling boom on the
Japan Air Self-Defense Force's (JASDF) future KC-767 Tanker for the
first time February 17, in the skies over western Kansas.
Representatives with Boeing tell ANN that after departing Boeing
Integrated Defense Systems facilities in Wichita, the flight crew
deployed the fly-by-wire boom and flew it to several vertical and
horizontal positions to demonstrate its full functionality. The
flight also verified boom flight control handling qualities and the
integration between the aircrew operator and the world's most
advanced refueling systems.
"Now that we've deployed the boom on Japan's first tanker, we
will push forward and complete testing so we can deliver the most
advanced air refueling platform to our Japanese customer," said Joe
Shaheen, director of Boeing International Tanker Programs.
Japan selected KC-767 Tanker, a military derivative of the
767-200 commercial jetliner, over an Airbus A310-derived platform
in 2001. It has been configured with a fifth-generation air
refueling boom and the Remote Aerial Refueling Operator (RARO II)
system.
Under contract to receive four KC-767 Tankers, the JASDF has
selected the convertible freighter configuration, which Boeing says
provides flexibility in carrying cargo or passengers, while
maintaining the aircraft's primary role as an aerial tanker.
As Aero-News reported, Airbus
now offers a A330-derived refueling platform, which is larger than
the KC-767 and provides additional flexibility for air transport
duties. That plane is Boeing's competitor for the US Air Force's
KC-X Tanker competition.
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