DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Boeing Marks 1st Anniversary Of KC-46A Tanker Contract Award
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - February 24, 2012: The Boeing [NYSE: BA] KC-46 Tanker program today marked the first anniversary of receiving a U.S. Air Force contract to build the next-generation aerial refueling tanker, the KC-46A. Over the past year, the program has completed key milestones in support of the design and development phase on or ahead of schedule, and is now preparing for a Preliminary Design Review (PDR) in March.
"The KC-46 program is on a good path. Boeing's performance thus far has been solid," said Maj. Gen. Chris Bogdan, KC-46 Program Executive Officer, U.S. Air Force. "Our commitment is to deliver the KC-46A to the nation's warfighters, on schedule and ready to go to war on Day One, as the world's most advanced tanker. I'm pleased to report that Boeing is meeting its commitments."
Since receiving the contract on Feb. 24, 2011, the Boeing KC-46 team has completed several major milestones, including a System Requirements Review, Integrated Baseline Review, 767-2C PDR, and Firm Configuration Reviews for the 767-2C and the KC-46A Tanker.
"I'm very proud of our joint team," said Maureen Dougherty, Boeing KC-46 Tanker vice president and program manager. "We're drawing on the best of Boeing's industry-leading commercial airplane and defense expertise as we design and develop the KC-46A, which is a next-generation derivative aircraft. We remain on plan to deliver the first 18 combat-ready tankers by 2017."
The PDR, which will ensure that Boeing's design meets system requirements, will be followed by a Critical Design Review (CDR) in the third quarter of 2013. The CDR determines that the design of the KC-46A is mature and ready to proceed to the manufacturing phase of the program.
