ST. LOUIS, June 10, 2005 -- Boeing (NYSE:BA) pilots flew the first Italian Air Force KC-767A advanced aerial refueling tanker on its first flight across the Atlantic Ocean today, for display at the Paris Air Show 2005.
The tanker, called Italy #1, lifted off from McConnell Air Force Base, Wichita, Kan., June 9, for the12-hour flight to Le Bourget Airport in Paris. It is the first of four new aerial refueling tankers destined for the Italian Air Force.
"We are extremely proud of the KC-767A," said Lt Col Roberto Poni, the on-site Italian Air Force liaison officer to the tanker program. "Together we have managed some significant challenges and, together, we will perfect this much needed asset."
The new Italian tanker, which has an open architecture cockpit and advanced aerial refueling boom with a remote aerial refueling operator station, was unveiled publicly only three months ago. The flight to Paris is incorporated into a rigorous flight test and aerial refueling certification program that will total about 900 flight hours on completion. Boeing is scheduled to deliver the aircraft to the Italian Air Force in Spring 2006. The second Boeing 767 scheduled for modification into a KC-767A tanker has been delivered to the Aeronavali modification center near Naples, Italy.
"Boeing has a great launch customer in the Italian Air Force," said Jim O'Neill, Boeing vice president and Tanker program manager. "This is a completely new aerial refueling aircraft, designed with capabilities uniquely suited for the security needs of today and tomorrow. We are pleased to showcase the talents and skills of our Boeing tanker team and supplier partners."
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