Boeing submits tanker plan

Boeing announced yesterday that it has submitted its KC-767 Advanced Tanker proposal for the US Air Force KC-135 Tanker Replacement Program.

The KC-X proposal describes a tanker designed for its primary air refuelling mission, but also capable of moving cargo, passengers, patients and medical crewmembers.

Based on a new version of the 767-200 Long Range Freighter, the KC-767 Advanced Tanker's innovations include an advanced fly-by-wire boom, new wing refuelling pods, a centreline hose drum refuelling unit, an advanced commercial digital flight deck and a third-generation remote vision refuelling system.

‘The KC-767 Advanced Tanker will do for refuelling what the C-17 has done for airlift -- it will revolutionize mobility operations,’ said James Albaugh, president and CEO, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems. ‘Right-sized to enable access to 1,000 more bases than the KC-135, this robust aircraft allows commanders to deploy more tankers, ensures more booms are in the sky, covers more refuelling orbits and offloads more fuel.’