Mixed Prospects for Boeing Military Aircraft | Aviation International News

Mixed Prospects for Boeing Military Aircraft

New F-15 and F-18 exports seem likely, but uncertain requirements affect prospects for KC-46 tanker and 737 derivatives.

Boeing believes that the 737 airframe is the best replacement platform for various USAF missions, including JSTARS, AWACS and Rivet Joint. (Photo: Boeing)

By Chris Pocock • Defense Correspondent

September 28, 2016

The future sales prospects for Boeing’s military aircraft are mixed at present. The F-15 and F-18 production lines now seem more likely to extend into the next decade with more sales to the Middle East, now that political objections in Tel Aviv and Washington appear to be subsiding. A sale of four KC-46 tankers to Japan has now been formally notified, but some U.S. Air Force (USAF) leadership has suggested that the service will buy no more than the 179 aircraft to which it is already committed. Meanwhile, Boeing faces stiff competition for the USAF JSTARS replacement, while arguing that the 737-800 airframe that it has proposed for that near-term requirement is also suitable as an AWACS and Rivet Joint SIGINT platform further in the next decade. All three missions are currently flown by Boeing 707 derivatives.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

Embraer Delivers First Praetor 600E Ahead of Schedule

Launch customer Flexjet accepts first of the upgraded super-midsize jets

Embraer Praetor 600E in flight

Aura Aero Flies Former VoltAero Aircraft As Testbed

Aura Aero makes first flight of hybrid-electric testbed since acquiring assets

Modified Cessna 337 Skymaster over coast r

ACJ: Strong Large-aircraft Market Growth Ahead in Asia

Research finds most financiers and brokers in Asia see market demand increasing

Airbus Corporate Jets ACJTwoTwenty

Britten-Norman Targets Eight New-build Islanders Annually

UK production expansion follows inaugural flight of latest Bembridge-built unit

Britten-Norman Islander

Bizjet Market Value To Reach $60B per Year in Next Decade

Market estimated to grow from $27 billion in 2025 to more than $60.5 billion

Phenom 100

Atlas Will Build Electra’s EL9 Hybrid-electric Prototypes

Wichita-based aerospace manufacturing group has partnered with the U.S. start-up

Electra EL9 aircraft

Honda Aircraft Finishes Echelon Wing, Delays 1st Flight

Final assembly of the first jet will take place early next year

Honda Aircraft team and the Echelon wing

Cape Air To Add Eight Caravans for Montana Service

Will introduce aircraft in 2027 to the Montana network

Textron Aviation Cessna Grand Caravan EX