Boeing signs fuel tank MOA for KC-767

ST. LOUIS, Oct. 16 (UPI) -- U.S. firm Boeing has made a deal with Sargent Fletcher to make a body fuel tank system for its KC-767 air tanker.

Boeing said in a statement last week that it had "signed a Memorandum of Agreement -- MOA -- with Sargent Fletcher, Inc., of El Monte, Calif., a Cobham plc company, to provide the body fuel tank system for the KC-767 Advanced Tanker -- AT."

"With these body fuel tanks, the KC-767's usable fuel capacity exceeds what the U.S. Air Force requires," said Mark McGraw, vice president, Boeing Tanker Programs. "Sargent Fletcher's system extends the KC-767's range and off-load capacity without sacrificing size."

Boeing said it selected Sargent Fletcher after carrying out "a best-value source selection process that focused on technical readiness, price and supportability. The MOA provides the terms under which Sargent Fletcher may be awarded subcontracts for the fuel tank system if the KC-767AT is selected in the U.S. Air Force's KC-X tanker competition. "

Boeing said its KC-767 Advanced Tanker was "designed for aerial refueling of other aircraft, but also is able to move cargo, passengers, patients and medical crew members. These capabilities, combined with best-in-competition fuel efficiency, global flexibility and space usage, provide a strong value proposition to the Air Force."

"The Boeing Global Tanker Team producing the KC-767 Advanced Tanker includes Delta TechOps, Rockwell Collins, Vought Aircraft Industries, Pratt & Whitney, Smiths Aerospace, Honeywell and Spirit AeroSystems. This experienced group of partners has proven expertise in aerial refueling systems, network centric operations, integrated avionics solutions and lean manufacturing concepts, which will offer the Air Force high levels of reliability and unique technical advancements," the company said.

"Boeing said it had produced nearly 2,000 tankers in its history and currently is building four KC-767 tankers each for Italy and Japan."