Assembly for Japan’s First KC-46A Begins; Problems Continue for USAF Program | Aviation International News

Assembly for Japan’s First KC-46A Begins; Problems Continue for USAF Program

Japan is the first export customer for the KC-46, and expects to get its first of an initially approved batch of four aircraft in 2021

An 82.4-ft long 767 wing spar is loaded into a tool in Boeing’s factory at Everett, Washington, to begin the assembly of the first KC-46A tanker for Japan. (photo: Boeing)

By Beth Stevenson

September 19, 2019

Boeing has begun assembling the Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s (JASDF) new 767-derived KC-46A tanker, the first of two on order for the service that are being delivered under a Foreign Military Sale. The first aircraft was ordered in 2017 and the second in 2018 as a contract option under a deal that could result in up to four Pegasus aircraft being acquired for Japan. In mid-September the OEM started assembly at Everett, Washington, with a wing spar.

Japan is the first export customer for the aircraft, and will receive the aircraft in 2021, joining the U.S. Air Force in operating the type. The first U.S. example went into service in January. It will be certified to refuel all USAF, U.S. Navy, and JASDF aircraft, Boeing notes, bolstering U.S.-Japanese defense ties.

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.

South Korean Air Force Receives First KF-21 Fighter

Jet was first production example made by Korea Aerospace Industries

Korea Aerospace Industries KF-21

Uzbekistan Takes Delivery of First Embraer C-390

Milestone marks inaugural central Asian customer for Brazilian airframer

Grey C-390 in hangar

KlasJet Wins FAA Approval for U.S. ACMI Operations

Company targets seasonal peaks and capacity shortfalls

Boeing 737 from the rear, on the ground

Vertical Expands UK eVTOL Aircraft Manufacturing Site

Expanded facility at Cotswold Airport precedes final mass-production location

Vertical VX4 prototype being rolled into new hangar

Bye’s eFlyer 2 Electric Trainer Makes First Flight

Conforming prototype flew for about five minutes near Denver

eFlyer 2 in flight

Starfighters Space Sells Mach 2 Testing by the Sortie

Company says F-104 Starfighter jets offer a “wind tunnel in the sky”

Two Starfighters Space F-104s in flight

Australia Boosts Capability With Trio of ISR Platforms

Fleet now includes MQ-4C Triton, MC-55A Peregrine and the P-8A Poseidon

Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon and MC-55A Peregrine aircraft

Textron Aviation Marks Rollout of 500th Latitude

Aircraft entered service in 2015

Textron Aviation rollout of 500th Cessna Citation Latitude