Boeing Begins KC-767 Tanker Advanced Boom Flight Tests

[Old Nickname - VG]

Boeing 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.

USAF