BAE Systems and Turkish Aerospace team up on UAS opportunities
The two companies will work together to explore ways to collaborate on the development of uncrewed air systems.
Japan’s first KC-46A completes test refuelling flight
The Japan-bound tanker recently refueled another KC-46A in the skies over Washington state. (Photo: Boeing)
The first KC-46A for a non-US customer gives and receives fuel with another KC-46A.
The first Boeing KC-46A tanker built for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) recently refuelled another KC-46A tanker, and itself received fuel from the other tanker, during a test flight in Washington state.
Japan is the KC-46 programme’s first non-US customer and is scheduled to receive its first aircraft this year.
In March 2020, the US State Department announced that it has approved a possible FMS to Israel of eight KC-46 tanker aircraft for an estimated cost of $2.4 billion, making it the second non-US customer.
The tanker is capable of refuelling USAF, USN, USMC and JASDF aircraft.
The USAF initially awarded Boeing a contract for the JASDF’s first KC-46A tanker in December 2017 and a second Japanese tanker is already in production.
The contract modification awarded to Boeing in June 2021 brought the total cumulative face value of the KC-46 contract to $898.67million.
According to Shephard Defence Insight, the two KC-46As will join the JASDF’s current fleet of four KC-767J tankers.
The USAF will use the KC-46A to refuel joint and coalition aircraft via a boom or drogue system, and to augment the airlift fleet with cargo, passenger and aeromedical evacuation capabilities.
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