BUFF 8 Posted February 19, 2008 Boeing Gets OK To Deliver Tanker to Japan By andrew chuter Published: 19 Feb 03:44 EST (22:44 GMT) Print | Email The Japan Air Self-Defense Force has given Boeing the green light to deliver the first of four tanker aircraft it has on order from the U.S. aerospace giant. The delivery approval comes in the wake of the 767 tanker aircraft receiving a Federal Aviation Administration Supplemental Type certificate allowing it to also carry passengers and cargo last week. The JASDF completed a review of the program in the last couple of days allowing it to approve handover of the aircraft to Japanese trading house Itochu ahead of delivery to the air force. The delivery flight of the first aircraft from Boeing's Wichita plant is "imminent," Joe Song, the company's vice president for Asia Pacific business development told reporters at the Singapore Airshow today. A second aircraft is scheduled to be delivered before the end of the first quarter of this year with the final two KC-767s following in 2009. The aircraft will be the first tankers operated by Japan. The 767 tanker, ordered by Japan and Italy, has been beset by technical issues and delays. The first of the Japanese aircraft were originally scheduled to be delivered in 2005. The FAA previously certified the KC-767 for everything except passengers and main deck cargo. In a statement last week Boeing said it used a combination of Japanese and Italian KC-767 tankers to complete the testing. "The completed tests also will help Boeing obtain FAA certification for the Italy KC-767 followed by delivery of the country's first two tankers later in 2008." Boeing said. The Japanese approval comes at just the right time for Boeing. The company's 767 Advanced Tanker is in the final stages of a fierce competition with Airbus for a huge U.S. Air Force order. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
