Posted on 09/16/2015 10:11:51 PM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
The Defense Ministry has selected Boeing Co.'s KC-46A Pegasus aircraft as its new in-flight refueling vehicle, in line with a decision by the U.S. military to deploy the Boeing air tanker. It is set to be deployed by the end of fiscal 2018.
The KC-46A Pegasus was selected as the next Air Self-Defense Force refueling aircraft because it can refuel U.S. fighter planes heading to combat zones in the event of a Japan-U.S. joint military operation, which could be made possible by the new security legislation under deliberation in the Diet.
The highly contentious bills would remove Japan’s long-held ban on the exercise of the right to collective self-defense and greatly expand the overseas role of the SDF.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s Liberal Democratic Party and coalition partner Komeito plan to ram the package of bills through the Upper House on Sept. 17 at the earliest.
Boeing was the only aircraft manufacturer to make a pitch in the ministry’s public bidding for the next ASDF refueling aircraft. Airbus Group considered entering the bidding, which ended Sept. 8, but withdrew at the last minute.
The ministry will enter price negotiations with Boeing and determine the number of the planes to be delivered. It will earmark the cost for the aircraft purchase in its fiscal 2016 budget.
The ASDF currently operates four Boeing KC-767 air tankers. The KC-46A was developed from the KC-767 with a slightly longer length of 50.4 meters.
Based on the Medium Term Defense Program adopted in December 2013, the ministry plans to procure three new aerial refueling and transport aircraft by the end of fiscal 2018.
How can you go wrong with Boeing?
One of the truly great U.S. aircraft manufacturers and certainly one of the reasons America won the Cold War.
And World War 2.The war in the pacific was ended by 2 Boeing B-29 Superfortresses. Enoly Gay and Bockscar.
ASDF? Perhaps they have another that is JKL; .
You are indeed correct, the B-29 was cutting edge technology and fortunately there are still a few left, if you’ve never seen it, look on YouTube for a B-29 that was still flown for memorial purposes up until a few years ago by the name of “FIFI”, a great restored plane.
The B-29 may have dropped the bomb, but the Mighty Eighth Air Force flew the B-17. 25 missions was enough for a ticket home, though most didn’t take it, and far too many never made it to 25.
Yes Sir. Know all about her. There is also another 29 named Doc about to fly as well. She is beautifully polished.I manufacture replacement parts for B-17s and love all things Boeing.
By putting Boeing in the hands of bean counters instead of engineers. Have you followed the development of the Boeing 787?
FiFi still flies, courtesy of her owners The Commemorative Air Force.
There’s about to be a second flying B-29, named Doc. Just had her first engine start and warmup this past week.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.