Italy to get two new KC-767s by mid-2008

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 4 (UPI) -- Boeing plans to deliver the first two of four KC-767 air tankers to Italy by the end of June 2008.

Boeing said in a statement last week that it was "building four KC-767s for Italy with delivery of the first two tankers in the second quarter of 2008. To date, Boeing has logged more than 350 flights accumulating more than 1,000 flight hours on the KC-767."

"In addition to flight-testing the KC-767 for international customers, Boeing is competing for a contract to replace the U.S. Air Force's KC-135 Tanker fleet. It has offered the KC-767 Advanced Tanker, and a decision is expected in the first quarter of 2008," the company said.

"Transferring fuel through a boom, via the remote vision system during nighttime conditions, will significantly reduce risk for future tanker customers like the U.S. Air Force," the company said.

Boeing said it had "built nearly 2,000 tankers in its history and is under contract to build four KC-767s for Japan. The JASDF -- Japan Air Self Defense Forces -- has selected the convertible freighter configuration, which will provide flexibility in carrying cargo or passengers, while maintaining its primary role as an aerial tanker."

Boeing described its Integrated Defense Systems unit as "one of the world's largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32.4 billion business with 72,000 employees worldwide."