Boeing is looking at a range of new technologies for the planned 767 tanker-transport programme to update the baseline aircraft and provide the US Air Force with the latest advances in inflight refuelling systems. Meanwhile, the manufacturer expects to finalise a lease deal with the air force for 100 tankers by the fourth quarter.
The planned new tanker will be equipped with a further development of the Remote Aerial Refueling Operator (RARO) station first fielded on two converted Royal Netherlands Air Force McDonnell Douglas KDC-10 tankers in 1992. The proposed two-man RARO II station will include a three-dimensional helmet-mounted display for the operator, says John Sams, Boeing USAF 767 tanker programme manager.
Boeing plans to equip the aircraft with the latest fly-by-wire version of its aerial refuelling boom, incorporating more than 30% fewer parts than the Boeing KC-135E/R boom. In addition to a centreline hose drum unit capable of supplying 2,275 litres (600USgal)/min, the planned Spiral 2 development of the USAF tanker will have two Smiths-developed underwing pods offering greater hose stability, added redundancy and better reliability and maintainability.
Spiral 2 will introduce the planned "smart tanker" concept, which will initially provide an airborne communications node and later other sensors. "Conceptually it is not a big issue providing antennas, but once you give it a secondary mission, what happens to the in-flight refuelling role? We need to determine what's on the aircraft and how much more capability we need," says Sams.
The tanker is based on the shorter 767-200ER airframe to ensure clearance for the boom on take-off rotation, but the USAF wants maximum commonality with the planned 767-400-based Multirole Command and Control Aircraft. This will include incorporating the -400's glass cockpit into the -200 and selecting a common engine for both, either the General Electric CF6-80 or Pratt & Whitney PW4000.
Source: Flight International
