Mon, Mar 02, 2009
Scheduled For Formal Delivery This Month
Last week, Boeing transferred the third KC-767J tanker to the
company's Japanese partner, Itochu Corp., for delivery to the Japan
Ministry of Defense (MOD) and Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF).
When Itochu officially delivers the aircraft in March, it will join
two KC-767J tankers that Japan received in 2008.
The KC-767J departed Boeing's tanker modification center in
Wichita on February 25 on a 12-hour, nonstop flight to Gifu, Japan,
near Nagoya. Delivery to the MOD and JASDF will follow a final
formal review and in-country acceptance processes.
"This new KC-767J will be a valuable addition to Japan's tanker
fleet as the country performs vital missions in the Asia-Pacific
region," said Dave Bowman, Boeing vice president and general
manager, Tanker Programs. "The recent completion of a yearlong
technical evaluation and the on-time, on-cost delivery of this
third tanker bring the JASDF one step closer to assigning these new
assets to active air wings in Japan."
Japan has ordered four convertible tanker/freighter KC-767Js,
which provide flexibility in carrying cargo or passengers while
maintaining their primary role as aerial refueling tankers.
The KC-767 tanker, a military derivative of the 767-200
commercial airplane, features Boeing's advanced aerial refueling
boom and Remote Aerial Refueling Operator II system.
Boeing is scheduled to transfer the fourth Japan tanker to
Itochu in December for delivery to the MOD in the first quarter of
2010.
As ANN reported, Boeing won FAA certification
for the aircraft -- a requirement of its contract with Japan --
came in February 2008, one year later than originally forecast.
Boeing also has two KC-767 tankers in flight testing for the
Italian Air Force (ITAF) and is performing modification work on two
additional ITAF tankers. The first tanker for Italy is scheduled
for delivery later this year.
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