Japan receives first Boeing refueling tanker

[unhappycamper]

Two KC-767 Tankers extend their aerial refueling booms during a recent test flight. Boeing delivered the first to Itochu Corp., for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force on Feb. 19. Japan has ordered four convertible freighter 767s, which is also in the running to replace the aging KC-135 in the U.S.


Japan receives first Boeing refueling tanker
Staff report
Posted : Wednesday Feb 20, 2008 17:11:19 EST

Boeing delivered on Tuesday the first KC-767 tanker for Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force, the company announced.

It is the first aerial refueling aircraft in Japan’s history and is one of four KC-767s to be delivered to Japan, according to the Boeing press release. The aircraft is considered by many to be the favorite to win the U.S. Air Force’s $30 billion, 179-plane tanker contract that will be awarded by the end of this month.

The Japanese aircraft completed a 12-hour flight from Boeing’s tanker modification center near Wichita, Kan., to Gifu, Japan, following a final review by the Japanese Ministry of Defense Air Staff.

Boeing will deliver the second tanker to Japan immediately following acceptance of the first aircraft.

The Boeing airplane is competing for the U.S. contract against an EADS/Northrop Grumman team offering an Airbus 330 variant called the KC-30.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/02/airforce_tanker_080220w/