Boeing delivered the first two next-generation KC-46 tanker planes to the U.S. Air Force, before the planes took off Friday to their first operating base.

The massive planes, used primarily for refueling missions, were handed over to the Air Force on Thursday in ceremonies at Boeing's Everett, Wash., manufacturing facility. While just one KC-46 was expected to be handed over to the Air Force, officials received the "keys" for two.

The aircraft left for McConnell Air Force Base in Kansas on Friday morning.

"Our airmen are excited about flying the KC-46, and our mobility enterprise is ready," Air Mobility Command chief Gen. Maryanne Miller said at the ceremony. "Today we are adding another arrow in our quiver of mobility. We're excited, we can't wait to get this airplane to McConnell and we can't wait to get after it."

The handover on Thursday came eight years after Boeing was awarded a contract to build the plane, and about two weeks after the first delivery of a KC-46 plane. Boeing's goal is to deliver 36 of the aircraft in 2019, and about a dozen more are nearing completion, said Mike Gibbons, Boeing vice president.

The Air Force is accepting the aircraft despite known problems with the boom operator's remote vision system. Boeing is paying to solve the issues, which are responsible for withholding of up to $26 million per plane until the deficiencies are corrected.

Under certain circumstances, the boom operator's view of refueling could be impaired if sunlight strikes a camera at a certain angle. In tests, boom operators occasionally were unaware if the boom, which pumps fuel to another plane while both are airborne, was scraping a receiving aircraft.

The system, however, is currently safe and useful "as it is," Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson said at the ceremony.

Checklist complete. @22ARW here we come! @Boeing #KC46 pic.twitter.com/XZdTTCljvU— Dr. Heather Wilson (@SecAFOfficial) January 25, 2019

Related Links
Aerospace News at SpaceMart.com

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

Bell receives $439M contract from Navy for 25 AH-1Z Viper helicopters
Washington (UPI) Jan 22, 2019
Bell Helicopter signed a $439.6 million contract to build 25 new AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters and avionics for the U.S. Marine Corps. The company, which is a subsidiary of Textron Inc., will build the aircraft and stores control units at its headquarters in Fort Worth and in Amarillo, Texas, the Navy announced Friday. The contract is a modification to a previously awarded fixed-price-incentive contract. Bell Helicopter expects to finish the work by January 2022. Navy fiscal 2018 ... read more