Boeing KC-767

KC-X Program

In 2006, the Air Force issued an invitation to a tender for the supply of new tanker aircraft, which was supposed to end in 2007. In January 2007, aircraft requirements were updated and it was announced that as a result of the tender, the winner would receive a contract to replace the entire fleet of KC-135 fleet ^[1] . EADS, together with Northrop Grumman, again proposed the Airbus A330 MRTT under the designation KC-30 . The rival again became the Boeing KC-767, which, due to its smaller size, holds 20% less fuel and cargo, but is cheaper. Northrop and EADS announced plans to build aircraft at a new plant in Mobile , where the A330 cargo modifications will be built.

On February 29, 2008, the Air Force announced that the KC-30, designated KC-45A ^{[2] [3],} was chosen to replace the KC-135.

The announcement of Northrop Grumman and Airbus winning a tender for more than $ 40 billion in refueling to the US Air Force provoked US Senate protests. ^[four]

On June 18, 2008, the US Audit Office upheld Boeing’s protest against the award of a contract to Northrop Grumman and EADS ^[5] . This decision led to the need for the Air Force to completely repeat the bidding process ^[6] .

On September 24, 2009, the US Air Force launched a new tender with clearer criteria for selecting a winner ^[7] . On March 8, 2010, Northrop Grumman withdrew its application and announced that the new criteria would prioritize the Boeing offer ^{[8] [9] [10]} . On April 20, 2010, EADS announced that it will bid on its own with the KC-45 model and continues to offer assembly of aircraft at its factory in Mobile ^[11] . On February 24, 2011, the Air Force announced that a $ 35 billion contract was awarded to Boeing. The US Under Secretary of Defense said that Boeing was a “clear winner” in a tender formula that takes into account the price of offers, the readiness of aircraft for military operations and the cost of operation for the next 40 years ^[12] .

Antonov aircraft concern also participated in the competition with the An-112-KS project, but the proposal was rejected. On February 10, 2011, EADS and Boeing filed their final bid for KC-X refueling. February 24, 2011 the Air Force announced the victory of the Boeing.

The US Air Force identified four reasons why the KC-46 model was chosen rather than the Airbus A330 MRTT : ^[13]

• “The large size of the KC-330 does not give a corresponding increase in the supply of fuel delivered”
• KC-330 “... has more technological risk factors for innovation and less favorable financial conditions.”
• “The area under the KC-330 is 81% larger than for the KC-135E, while the area under the Boeing 767 is only 29%.”
• KC-330 requires "... large investments in infrastructure and significantly reduces the ability to deploy on the world theater of operations."

In addition, the KC-767 has manual control of the hydraulic aircraft control system with an unlimited range of flight modes. ^[14]

On February 24, 2011, Boeing won the contract, but for a much smaller amount ^[15] The contract indicated such low prices that some observers felt that Boeing would incur losses as a result of this transaction. However, some of them noted that the company will be able to profit from service contracts and the supply of spare parts. ^[16] In July 2011, it was announced that the development cost increased by $ 1.4 billion and exceeded the maximum contracted value of $ 4.9 billion by 300 million. If the development cost exceeds 1 billion (from the contract to the maximum amount specified in the contract), the US government must pay 600 million; the remaining money should be paid by Boeing. Since Boeing must fully pay the excess of 300 million, the company will have to make $ 700 million in additional investments in the project. ^{[17] [18] [19]}

International Programs

Italy

The Italian Air Force ( Aeronautica Militare ) chose the KC-767A and in 2002 signed a contract for the supply of four aircraft in 2005. This version is based on a modification of the Boeing 767-200ER and has the designation KC-767 Tanker Transport . It is equipped with a ventricular refueling system and two underwing refueling assemblies of the “hose-cone” type. ^[20]

Aircraft intended for the Italian Air Force were originally built as 767-200ER passenger airliners and, after preliminary assembly, were transferred to a factory in Wichita for conversion to refueling. The first “Italian” aircraft made its first flight on May 21, 2005, ^[21] and on May 6, 2005, the second aircraft arrived for refurbishment at the Boeing partner factory, Alenia Aeronautica in Naples . ^[22]

Italian Air Force refueling shipments were delayed due to flutter of the wing- flap refueling units and other technical problems. At the time of the delay, Boeing provided the Boeing 767 aircraft for crew training. ^{[23] [24]} After eliminating technical problems on May 17, 2011, the aircraft officially entered service. ^[25] Two Italian Air Force Boeing KC-767 participated in NATO operations in Afghanistan and Libya. ^{[26] [27]} The last two aircraft were delivered at the end of 2011. ^[28]

Japan

In 2001, Japan held a tender in which the KC-767 and Airbus A310 MRTT participated. In 2003, a contract was signed for the supply of the KC-767. ^{[29] [30]} The Japanese Self-Defense Forces ordered four tankers under the designation KC-767J . In June 2005, the first aircraft of the series entered the Boeing factory in Wichita for conversion into a refueling machine. ^[31]

The delivery of the first Boeing KC-767J was delayed by approximately two years due to the need for FAA certification. The Japanese version of the tanker is equipped exclusively with the fuselage filling bar. As a result of negotiations between Boeing and their representatives, Itochu, and the Japanese Ministry of Defense, an agreement was reached on compensation for delays in deliveries. ^{[32] [33]} The first finished Boeing KC-767J was delivered to Japan on February 19, 2008, ^{[34] the} second on March 5, ^[35] , the third on March 2009. All three aircraft were put into service in May 2009 ^[36] The third tanker was handed over to Japanese customers in January 2010. ^[37]

Other customers

In April 2004, the KC-767 participated in the tender of the Australian Air Force, but lost to the Airbus A330 MRTT , which was chosen due to the greater fuel and cargo capacity. ^[38]

Together with BAE Systems and British Airways, Boeing offered the KC-767 to the Royal Air Force as part of a strategic tanker replacement program. The participating companies formed the Tanker Transport Services Consortium Consortium (TTSC Tanker Transport Aircraft Consortium). British Airways was supposed to provide the aircraft 767, Boeing - the technology of conversion to refueling KC-767, BAE Systems was to carry out the conversion work. The TTSC consortium also includes Marshall Aerospace, Serco, Spectrum and Capital. However, in January 2004, the UK Department of Defense announced the selection of the Airbus A330 MRTT as a refueling transport aircraft. ^[39]

Tests