Boeing tanker finishes first night refueling

[unhappycamper]

A Boeing KC-767, one of two tankers scheduled for delivery to Japan this quarter, prepares to transfer fuel to F-15E1 over the skies of Missouri Jan. 26. It is the first nighttime refueling ever accomplished on a KC-767.


Boeing tanker finishes first night refueling
Staff report
Posted : Wednesday Jan 30, 2008 6:02:13 EST

Boeing’s KC-767 tanker aircraft — its entry into the competition for a $30 billion Air Force contract — completed its first nighttime refueling Saturday when it transferred fuel to an F-15E flying over Missouri, Boeing announced Tuesday.

The tanker, scheduled for delivery to the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force early this year, departed McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., and connected its boom to an F-15E 11 times during dusk and night conditions, according to a Boeing press release.

Boeing uses the F-15E under a research and development agreement with the Air Force, the press release said.

To date, Boeing has logged more than 1,000 flight hours on the KC-767, according to the press release.

Boeing officials hope the Air Force chooses the KC-767 as the winner in the $30 billion, 179-plane tanker competition. An EADS/Northrop Grumman team is offering an Airbus 330 variant called the KC-30.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/01/airforce_tanker_080129w/