Boeing readies tanker for delivery to Japan
Published 12:23 pm Wednesday, February 13, 2008
The Boeing Co. received certification for its KC-767 tanker for Japan, according to a company press release.
This should clear the way for Boeing to deliver its tanker by the end of the first quarter. The company has fallen behind schedule with its KC-767s for the governments of both Japan and Italy. Boeing is pitching a similar version of the tanker to the U.S. Air Force for a multi-billion dollar contract expected to be decided this month.
“The Japan Air Self-Defense Force asked us to complete passenger and main deck cargo certifications beyond what is normally performed on military aircraft, and we have received our FAA STC for those capabilities,” said George Hildebrand, Boeing KC-767 Japan program manager. “Boeing is ready to deliver the first tankers in Japan’s history and the most advanced tanker in the world today.”
Boeing says it didn’t realize that Japan expected the tanker to be FAA-certified – that’s not typical for tankers. Japan has been charging fines for the tardy tanker.
