Boeing is poised to get its KC-767 tanker programme back on track, with first deliveries to Italy and Japan planned from mid-year and a decision on the US Air Force's KC-X contest expected in the third quarter.
Boeing plans to announce a revised delivery date for Italy's first of four KC-767s before the Paris air show, while Japan's launch aircraft from a four-strong order is also "ready to go", says Mark McGraw, the company's vice-president tanker programmes.
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Japan's first aircraft is "good to go", following development delays |
Boeing is in negotiations with Japan over the completion of testing and an exact delivery schedule, but McGraw says its first tanker will be delivered by "mid-way through this year, at the latest".
Tokyo should receive a further two examples this year, with deliveries under both orders to be completed by late 2009.
Tom Bell, vice-president business development for Boeing Precision Engagement and Mobility Systems concedes: "There's no doubt that we've stubbed our toe with delivery schedules," but says the company is "taking lessons and rolling them into a new-built philosophy".
Looking at the US contest, Bell says: "All the indications are that they [the USAF] will announce the winner in the fall. Reports of it slipping are conjecture."
Facing competition from a KC-30 development of the Airbus A330 promoted by Northrop Grumman and EADS North America, Bell believes the Boeing proposal "is the right-sized tanker for the mission", adding: "With aerial refuelling, bigger is not better.
We have utilised the entire catalogue of 767 parts to optimise the KC-767AT for the mission, versus tailoring the mission to fit our offer."
Source: Flight International