the development of this important capability for the warfighter,” said Brig. Gen. Duke Richardson, Air Force program executive officer for Tankers. “The team at Boeing has done a really remarkable job creating an entirely new aircraft that will soon become the backbone of our ability to project power anywhere in the world.” Boeing has built four test aircraft. The first flight of one of the aircraft with the refueling boom is scheduled for later this year. Wiring challenges that delayed the first flight of the 767-2C have been resolved, according to Boeing, and it remains on track to deliver 18 combat-ready tankers to the Air Force in 2017. In all, Boeing will build and deliver 179 KC-46A tankers to the Air Force, which must replace its aging fleet of KC-135 tankers. In the weeks leading up to that Dec. 28 first flight, Boeing employees were busy Photos: (Above) Electrician Vea-Sna La-Madrid performs a quality check on electrical wiring. (Right) A KC-46A tanker exterior light. The tanker also features cueing lights that are used by pilots of receiver aircraft during refueling operations. Bob ferguson | boeinG 16 Boeing Fronti ers (Continued on Page 21)
Frontiers February 2015 Issue
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