Boeing Begins KC-767 Tanker Advanced Boom Flight Tests
ST. LOUIS, Sept. 26, 2006 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] began a new chapter
in aerial-refueling history on Sept. 21 by flight-testing its
fifth-generation KC-767 Tanker boom for the first time.
During a complex series of tests in Wichita, Kan., the test team
deployed the fly-by-wire boom (a telescoping tube used to deliver
fuel to military aircraft) to several vertical and horizontal
positions during flight and successfully demonstrated integration
between the aircrew operator and the world's most advanced
refueling system.
"We've taken the proven aerodynamic shape and size of previous
systems and made the KC-767 boom even more capable and reliable,"
said Mark McGraw, Boeing vice president for Tanker Programs. "The
fly-by-wire system provides more precise and responsive controls to
the operator, automatically corrects its position to reduce
potential damage to the receiver aircraft and is easier to
maintain."
The evolutionary design also features a full-time Independent
Disconnect System that improves safety dramatically by allowing the
boom operator to disconnect from the receiver aircraft at any
time.
Boom testing will run for several weeks and is the first in a
series of extensive air-refueling tests that will be conducted in
upcoming months. As of Sept. 21 the KC-767 Tanker has logged more
than 129 flights and about 380 hours.
"We purposely waited to schedule this portion of our flight test so
we could fully integrate our boom redundancy management system in
our laboratory," said Pam Leblond, KC-767 Air Vehicle chief
engineer. "Having the boom operate in flight today makes all the
extra efforts worthwhile."
Boeing is building tankers for Italy and Japan, with delivery to
the Japan Air Self-Defense Force in February 2007, followed by
delivery to Italy in mid-2007. In addition to flight-testing the
KC-767 for international customers, Boeing is competing for a
contract to build the U.S. Air Force's next-generation tanker
aircraft.
Frm Boeing