Manufacturer Appeals To Hearts, Wallets In Bid For KC-X

As part of its quest to win a lucrative US Air Force tanker contract, on Friday Boeing noted the state of Illinois would greatly benefit from an estimated 3,300 direct and indirect jobs if the manufacturer's 767-derived tanker gets the nod. The economic activity generated in Illinois will exceed an estimated $140 million annually.

Boeing formally submitted its proposal to the Air Force on April 10. The offering, the KC-767 Advanced Tanker, is designed for aerial refueling of other aircraft, but also is able to move cargo, passengers, patients and medical crewmembers.

"Illinois brings forth a great deal of talent and experience from its aerospace industry. That's why we're thrilled to have key companies in the Land of Lincoln join our KC-767 Advanced Tanker team," said Ron Marcotte, vice president and general manager of Boeing Global Mobility Systems.

Illinois industry will provide KC-767 development, manufacturing, test and evaluation, and support for key avionic, electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical aerospace systems and components.

"Our state has a strong and capable aerospace industry -- one that is ready and able to deliver the US Air Force's next-generation tanker," said Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich.

Boeing will assemble the tanker at its facilities in Everett, WA using many of the same manufacturing processes that produced almost 1,000 commercial Boeing 767s.
Installation of military refueling systems and flight test activities will take place at the company's finishing center in Wichita, KS.

Recently, the company demonstrated its advanced air refueling systems by transferring fuel through its fifth-generation boom and extending and retracting the fuselage-mounted and wing-mounted air refueling hoses, both critical milestones for the KC-767 program.

FMI: www.boeing.com, www.af.mil