First KC-767 night refueling

摘要

In late January, a Boeing KC-767 tanker, scheduled for delivery to Japan's Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) early this year, departed McConnell Air Force Base, adjacent to the Boeing Integrated Defense Systems Wichita facility, and flew a 3-h, 9-min flight. The aircrew connected the KC-767s fifth-generation, fly-by-wire boom (a telescoping tube used to deliver fuel to military aircraft) to an F-15E 11 times during dusk and night conditions and successfully offloaded fuel before returning safely. The company uses the fighter under a cooperative research and development agreement with the U.S. Air Force.