But Still Not Fully Certified, Or Delivered To Customer

The first of four Boeing KC-767 Tankers destined for duty with Japan Air Self-Defense Force's (JASDF) has resumed its flight test schedule, after spending a month on the ground due to needed modifications.

Boeing says the KC-767 resumed flight testing August 21, following the completion of scheduled ground modification work. After departing Boeing Integrated Defense Systems facilities in Wichita, KS the aircrew performed a series of functional checks during the three-hour flight.

The flight allows the aircraft to begin additional certification testing requested by the customer.

"Our team is squarely focused on meeting our Japan customer's needs by resuming flight test activities, resolving some flight deck communications issues and expanding the FAA certifications already received for this tanker aircraft," said George Hildebrand, Boeing KC-767 Japan program manager. "We'll also provide upgrades to their night aerial refueling operations lighting system, allowing for greater visibility when refueling other aircraft."

As ANN reported, full FAA certification of the KC-767 -- a requirement of JASDF's contract with Boeing -- still hasn't been accomplished. Technically, that certification isn't required for a military aircraft... but Japan has insisted on it.

Perhaps most importantly, that stipulation is also a requirement in the bid to replace the US Air Force's current fleet of aging KC-135 tankers, where the Boeing plane is duking it out against the Airbus A330-derived KC-30.

Under terms of its contract with the Japanese Ministry of Defense, Boeing and its Japanese business partner -- Itochu Corp. -- were required to obtain full FAA certification by February 28, 2007 before the first of four tankers was delivered. Problems with a relatively minor part -- an air circulation distribution valve, which regulates air flow and pressurization -- was reportedly behind the delay.

Boeing states prior to the month-long modification work, including a series of wiring system upgrades, the first tanker for Japan successfully completed auxiliary power unit testing to support extended twin-engine operations (ETOPS).

Since the August 21 flight, Boeing has completed four subsequent test flights and is scheduled to deliver the aircraft in the first quarter of 2008.

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