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KC-767 GlobalTanker Related News »

• Pentagon Reopens $35 billion KC-X Tanker Contest
• Top acquisition official: Tanker acquisition top priority
• Northrop Grumman Statement Regarding DoD Tanker Decision
• Boeing Statement on Pentagon Decision to Reopen KC-X Tanker Bid
• Pentagon Reopens Bidding on Tanker Contract

Besides the aging fleet of most Western nations, the changing world order is also creating new potential tanker customers such as the United Arab Emirates , Korea , and NATO. Boeing anticipates the market for new tankers is $100B over the next 30 years.

KC-767 Configurations

The KC-767 Tanker has the capability of multiple interior arrangements. While maintaining its tanker capability, the aircraft's uninterrupted cabin floor interior can be configured for:

• Passenger
  
• Freighter
  

• Full Passenger or
  
• Full Freighter
  

• Full Passenger or
  
• Full Freighter or
  
• Passenger and freighter simultaneously
  

The KC-767 Tanker Transport enhances military deployment capability by providing airlift capability in addition to its primary tanker role. A choice of two transport configurations is available. The Convertible Freighter configuration can carry either passengers or cargo. The Convertible Combi configuration has the same capability and is also capable of carrying both passengers and cargo at the same time.

The KC-767 uses a crew of three: the pilot, the co-pilot and the aerial refueling operator. The cockpit uses modern, state-of-the-art avionics with modern flight control systems. All primary control surfaces are triple hydraulically-powered with emergency backups. All the configuration characteristics of the KC-767 are complementary to the primary mission of providing advanced aerial refueling capabilities for the customer.

Credit: Boeing

Freighter Combi. The freighter combi configuration has the capability to carry cargo pallets on the main deck and below deck. The configuration allows for the efficient movement of modular configured equipment units of a task force organization.

• 19 Main deck 463L military cargo pallets
  
• 3 forward lower lobe cargo pallets
  
• Approximately 77,000lbs of cargo (34.9 metric tons)
  
• Forward cargo barrier
  
• Commercial-style lavatories and galleys
  

• 10 Main deck cargo pallets
  
• 3 forward lower lobe cargo pallets
  
• Approximately 43,000 lbs of cargo (19.9 metric tons)
  
• Forward cargo barrier
  
• 100 passengers and 3 attendants
  
• Type 1 egress doors
  
• Commercial lavatories and galleys
  

Convertible Combi. In this reconfigurable option, the customer can transport people, or people and cargo, which allows for efficiencies in moving the right mix of people and equipment for a particular mission.

• 17 seat equipped pallets
  
• Up to 200 passengers
  
• 3 forward lower lobe cargo pallets
  
• Approximately 20,000 lbs of cargo (9.1 metric tons) and baggage capacity in forward lower lobe
  
• Commercial lavatories and galleys
  

• 10 Main deck cargo pallets
  
• 3 forward lower lobe cargo pallets
  
• Approximately 43,000 lbs of cargo (19.9 metric tons) and baggage
  
• Mid-cabin smoke barrier
  
• 100 passengers and 3 attendants
  
• Type 1 egress doors
  
• Commercial lavatories and galleys
  

Exports

Italy

The Italian Air Force KC-767A was originally contracted for in December 2002 and subsequent displayed at the Paris Air Show in June 2005. The Italian Air Force is on contract currently to purchase four KC-767A aerial refuelers to replace its current fleet of 707 tankers. Italy KC-767A #1 conducted first flight on May 21, 2005, and flight testing is under way today and based in Boeing Integrated Defense Systems - Wichita, Kan., location.

Japan

The Japan Air Self Defense Force KC-767 was originally contracted for in 2003. The first Japan Air Self Defense Force's Boeing 767-200ER airplane arrived in Wichita, Kan., in June 2005, for modifications into a KC-767 Tanker. The Japan KC-767 test program is scheduled for fourth quarter 2006, and includes a one-month, 100-hour flight test program to test Japan-unique items.

The Italian Air Force and Japan Air Self Defense Force KC-767 aircraft test programs provide key risk reduction for future customers. Combined the number one aircraft for both customers will have completed 1,000 hours of ground test and 1,100 hours of flight test by end of 2006.

Refuelling systems

The KC-767 can be configured with refuelling wingpods and a central boom for probe and drogue refuelling, or any combination of these configurations.The fuselage can also be fitted with a centerline refuelling boom for boom and receptacle refuelling missions.
The refueling boom is controlled by a Smiths Aerospace Boom Control System (BCS), which locks the boom underneath the aircraft's tail during take-off and landing. At altitide, the boom is lowered at a 45-degree angle down from the fuselage, the boom operator can then control it remotely from the flight deck.
The fuel transfer rate for the centerline hose and boom is 600 gallons per minute and the wingpods at 400 gallons per minute.

The USAF air fuel transfer method is through the boom and receptacle air refuelling technique. The US Navy, the US Marines and NATO aircraft have traditionally used the hose and drogue air refuelling method.

Recent developments:

Aug. 6th, 2008 | Pentagon Reopens $35 billion KC-X Tanker Contest

Today, the Pentagon reopened the $35 billion KC-X tanker competition between Boeing and Northrop Grumman/EADS. According to Reuters, 98 pages of amendments and clarifications were added to the original request for proposals. Most importantly, more credit will be given to the aircraft with the highest fuel offload capability, beyond the required amount. This change would favor the larger A330-derived KC-30 Northrop Grumman/EADS is offering. Northrop Grumman statement follows: WASHINGTON...
Read the full article...

Jul. 22nd, 2008 | Top acquisition official: Tanker acquisition top priority

WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- Officials from the Government Accountability Office testified before Congress July 10 here about their decision to uphold Boeing's protests of the Air Force's selection of Northrop Grumman Corp. to produce 179 new tankers that would replace the aging KC-135 Stratotanker fleet. In its report, GAO officials stated that errors had been made during the acquisition process that could have affected the outcome of the close competition between the two companies, but did not fin...
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Jul. 10th, 2008 | Northrop Grumman Statement Regarding DoD Tanker Decision

The Following is a Statement From Randy Belote, Vice President of Corporate and International Communications for Northrop Grumman WASHINGTON, July 9, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) applauds Defense Secretary Gates and Under Secretary Young for recognizing that the acquisition of replacement refueling tankers for the Air Force should be put on a path toward quick closure. We are reviewing the decision to ensure the re-competition will provide both companies a ...
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Jul. 10th, 2008 | Boeing Statement on Pentagon Decision to Reopen KC-X Tanker Bid

ST. LOUIS, July 09, 2008 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today released the following statement in response to the U.S. Defense Department's decision to reopen the KC-X aerial refueling tanker competition following the company's successful protest of the original $35 billion contract award: "We welcome the decision by Defense Secretary Robert Gates not to proceed with the contract award to Northrop Grumman/EADS and to reopen the KC-X tanker competition. However, we remain concerned that a renewed Reque...
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Jul. 10th, 2008 | Pentagon Reopens Bidding on Tanker Contract

WASHINGTON, July 9, 2008 -- The Defense Department has reopened the bidding process for a multibillion-dollar midair refueling tanker contract, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said today. The announcement comes after the Government Accountability Office last month found improper practices related to the $35 billion contract awarded in February to the Northrop-Grumman/EADS/Airbus consortium, which prompted a protest from rival bidder Boeing Company. “Industry, Congress and the Amer...
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KC-767 GlobalTanker Related News »

• Boeing Statement on GAO Tanker Protest Report
• Northrop Grumman Stands Ready to Support Air Force Tanker Decision
• Boeing, Northrop Statements on GAO Decision
• GAO Recommends USAF to Reopen KC-X Tanker Bid Process
• Boeing KC-767 Tanker: 'Sized Right for the Fight'
• Northrop Grumman KC-45: Why We Won - Versatility
• Boeing: KC-767 Tanker Adds Up to Best Value for Warfighter, Taxpayers
• Boeing KC-767 Tanker Determined More Survivable in USAF Evaluation
• Evaluation Found Boeing Tanker More Capable, Survivable for Flight Crews
• War of words escalates over Air Force tanker contract
• Boeing: Study Projects That As Oil Prices Climb, 767 Tanker Most Cost Efficient
• Boeing Protests U.S. Air Force Tanker Contract Award
• Boeing to File Protest of U.S. Air Force Tanker Contract Award
• Boeing: Uncertainty About Process Remains After Air Force Tanker Debrief
• Boeing Statement on U.S. Air Force Aerial Refueling Tanker Decision
• Air Force delays KC-X contract announcement until Friday
• Boeing Delivers First KC-767 Tanker to Japan
• Boeing Receives FAA Certification for Japan KC-767 Tanker
• Boeing Completes First KC-767 Tanker Night Refueling
• Boeing Submits Final KC-767 Advanced Tanker Proposal to U.S. Air Force

All KC-767 GlobalTanker News Articles »

Specifications

View all the specs and compare them with other aircraft!

Sources & Recommended Websites:

• Boeing - GlobalTanker
  
• Smiths Aerospace - Boeing KC 767 GlobalTanker
  
• GlobalSecurity.org - KC767
  
• Airforce-Technology.com - KC-767