Japan's Boeing KC-46A Tanker Completes First
Refueling Flight (with Video)
The first Boeing KC-46A tanker built for the Japan Air
Self-Defense Force (JASDF) recently refueled another KC-46A
aircraft in the skies over Washington state.
The Japan-bound tanker also successfully received
fuel in return.
“Refueling with the first Japan KC-46A is an
important milestone for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force,” said
Jamie Burgess, KC-46 program manager. “KC-46A is the world’s most
advanced air refueling aircraft and has already transferred more
than 42 million gallons of fuel to other aircraft globally through
its boom and drogue systems.”
Japan is the KC-46 program’s first non-U.S.
customer and is scheduled to receive its first aircraft this year.
“State-of-the-art refueling makes the KC-46A a
standout, but this tanker goes well beyond that,” said Will
Shaffer, president of Boeing Japan. “The ability to carry cargo
and passengers while maintaining tactical situational awareness
makes the aircraft a critical tool in the security alliance
between the U.S. and Japan.”
The Japan KC-46A is capable of refueling U.S. Air
Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and JASDF aircraft.
The U.S. Air Force awarded Boeing a contract for
the JASDF’s first KC-46A tanker in December 2017. The agreement
was completed through the Foreign Military Sale process between
the U.S. government and Japan. A second Japan tanker is already in
production.
Boeing is assembling the KC-46A aircraft for both
the U.S. Air Force and Japan on its 767 production line in
Everett, Washington.
Boeing’s Japanese partners produce 16% of the
KC-46A airframe structure.
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