The Gulf state is also a potential customer for Boeing's 737-based AEW&C platform
Boeing is to offer its 767 tanker-transport to the United Arab Emirates air force. The company is also targeting the UAE as a likely customer for its 737-based airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) platform.
Mark Bass, Boeing general manager for military products business development in the Middle East, Africa and the Americas, says the Gulf state has been offered the 767T-T and could take two or three examples.
In-flight refuelling and AEW&C aircraft would support the UAE's Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 60s, due for delivery beginning 2004 and Dassault Mirage 2000-9s, set to begin arriving late 2002. Industry sources say the UAE already operates an Ericsson Erieye-equipped aircraft to give it AEW experience.
Boeing, with partner Alenia Aerospazio, launched the 767T-T with an order from Italy earlier this year and is likely to receive an order from the USAF after the allocation of $150 million by Congress to fund the purchase and conversion of a single aircraft.
The 767T-T is fitted with wing-mounted hose drum units and a centreline flying boom. It can be fitted with an optional centreline hose unit and is equipped to receive fuel via either method. The UAE would require both methods of refuelling as its Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 60s and Dassault Mirage 2000-9s use different systems.
Bass says Egypt and Saudi Arabia are other potential customers. Both already have fleets of tankers, the former having a few Lockheed Martin KC-130s and the latter Boeing 707-based KE-3As as well as KC-130s.
The UAE, along with Bahrain and Kuwait, is considered the best prospect for 737AEW&C sales in the Gulf region, says Boeing Space & Communications director Americas, Africa, and the Middle East, Sean Del Grosso. The aircraft has been acquired by Australia and selected by Turkey. Del Grosso believes the latter will sign a contract within the next six months.
Del Grosso says the firm is seeking US Government approval to brief the UAE on the 737AEW&C. "We hope to approach the UAE Government within the next six months," he says.
Lockheed Martin expects the US Government to give Oman a letter of acceptance for 12 F-16C/D Block 50s within the next month.Source: Flight International
