Boeing Co, ST. LOUIS: Boeing officials and their Italian Air Force customers revealed the first KC-767A advanced aerial refueling tanker during ceremonies today at the Boeing site in Wichita, Kan.
The rollout event marks completion of essential structural modification to the world's most advanced aerial refueling aircraft.
“The KC-767A program represents the fulfilment of one of the most important goals in the Italian Air Force transport and support fleet modernization process,” said General Giovanni Sciandra, the three-star general commanding the Italian Air Force Logistics Command. “As a transportation platform, the KC-767A will increase the expeditionary capability of the Italian Air Force.” General Sciandra represented the Italian Air Force Chief of Staff at the ceremony.
The aircraft unveiled at the ceremony is the first of four tankers being built for the Italian Air Force, and is scheduled for delivery in April 2006 after completion of flight testing and certification.
“Boeing is proud to produce this completely new aerial refueling aircraft,” said Jim Albaugh, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems president and CEO. “Due to the vision and commitment of our Italian customer, we have been able to design new capabilities into this aircraft that are uniquely suited for the security needs of today and tomorrow.
“We have built upon 60-years of Boeing experience to provide our customers with the latest refueling technologies and incorporated advanced networking and communications capabilities into the KC-767,” Albaugh said. “Those capabilities will ensure the Italians can operate in the battlespace of the future. To ensure this, the design team used an open architecture that allows for new and emerging technologies to be easily integrated into the KC-767A system, ensuring it will remain relevant for decades to come.”
To the more than 800 employees, suppliers and customers in attendance Albaugh emphasized the Company's commitment to its tanker program saying Boeing will continue to bring together the best of global industry and Boeing to meet its customers' specific requirements.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $30.5 billion business. It provides network-centric system solutions to its global military, government, and commercial customers. It is a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems; the world's largest military aircraft manufacturer; the world's largest satellite manufacturer and a leading provider of space-based communications; the primary systems integrator for U.S. missile defense and the Department of Homeland Security; NASA's largest contractor; and a global leader in sustainment solutions and launch services.
