Boeing pitches strengths of 767

Published 9:00 pm Monday, October 30, 2006

EVERETT – The Boeing Co. made an effort Monday to show that its 767 refueling jet is the U.S. Air Force’s best bet for a lucrative tanker contract.

Boeing said the KC-767 transferred fuel for the first time a week ago at the company’s Integrated Defense Systems facility in Wichita, Kan. Boeing officials have not revealed whether they will offer the 767 or a newly proposed 777 jetliner for the Air Force deal.

“Both of these are still in play,” said John Sams, Boeing’s vice president of Air Force programs, “at least until we have the requirement from the customer.”

Either of Boeing’s offerings, if picked by the Air Force over rival Airbus’ A330-based tanker, would be built in Everett. Boeing had promoted the 767 refueling tanker to the U.S. Air Force for the past five years before unveiling the 777 alternative in September.

The Air Force picked the KC-767 two years ago in a $23.5 billion contract with Boeing. The discovery that a Pentagon weapons buyer pushed business Boeing’s way in exchange for jobs for her and her family voided the contract.

The Air Force restarted its bidding process anew and is expected to finalize its specifications by Dec. 15. Proposals from tanker-manufacturers could be due by as early as February.

In the meantime, Boeing will deliver 767 tankers to Italy and Japan in 2007. The refueling exercise last week demonstrated that the tanker could transfer 900 gallons per minute.

“The KC-767 aerial refueling systems exceeded our expectations during these initial ground tests, and we’re on track to deliver fuel to various aircraft receivers during flight in the near future,” said Mark McGraw, Boeing vice president for Tanker Programs. “The tests also show future customers, like the U.S. Air Force, that Boeing will deliver a proven boom and refueling system for their KC-X Tanker.”

But Sams and McGraw emphasized to news media in a conference call Monday that both the 767 and the 777 are still on the table. The 777 tanker could hold more fuel, troops or cargo than the 767 or Airbus’ proposal for its A330.

“We always felt if the Air Force wanted to buy a large cargo tanker … the KC-777 would be a good solution,” McGraw said.

Reporter Michelle Dunlop: 425-339-3454 or mdunlop@heraldnet.com.