At last some more good news considering the exporting of two more KC-46s to Japan on top of the two that were already sent.
 
Additional storage space and cups holders: Boeing finalize KC-46 RVS2.0 upgrade

One of the biggest changes in RVS 2.0 is the overhaul of the displays the boom operators look at during the refueling process. Currently, boom operators wear 3D glasses and “[look] directly at an LCD monitor which is projecting in 3D,” Ford said. But after evaluating multiple ways to display the camera imagery, the Air Force and Boeing coalesced around an “indirect view” display where an LCD monitor projects 3D imagery to a curved mirror, which provides more depth perception to the user.

“Part of that, I think, was because of the legacy experience of looking at a window,” Burgess said. “So we wanted to do something that that provided more immersive experience for the boom operator, something that felt more true to life than just looking at a flat panel display.”

Reporters on the tour donned 3D glasses to try out the new display system, staring into an angled mirror from which an image of an F-16 appeared to jut out from the screen, making contact with a KC-46 boom. The picture was clear, with the 3D depiction appearing true to life and no distracting shadows or reflections of light.

 
15 more KC-46 ordered.

Boeing said Monday this brings the number of KC-46s the Air Force has under contract to 128, 68 of which are delivered and in use.

Boeing is also under contract for 10 more KC-46s to partner nations, six for Japan and four for Israel. Japan has already received its first two KC-46s.

 
15 more KC-46 ordered.

Boeing said Monday this brings the number of KC-46s the Air Force has under contract to 128, 68 of which are delivered and in use.

Boeing is also under contract for 10 more KC-46s to partner nations, six for Japan and four for Israel. Japan has already received its first two KC-46s.


Finally some good news for the KC-46. I take it that the problems that have been plaguing the tanker have been sorted.
 
I doubt that it would look like that Chris, I would think that it would more or less be a flying wing type design or somewhat like the Boeing unmanned naval tanker but with a flying boom.
 

"…The service says this year it will fly the pod, known as ABMS Capability Release #1, which was first announced in 2020 as the initial planned deployment of a new data-focused system developed as part of ABMS. The pod will attach to the KC-46 and facilitate data sharing between F-35s and F-22s."
 
 
Italy buying Airbus instead of Boeing, is that because of the current problems within Boeing? That will certainly be a change for Italy and perhaps a wakeup call for Boeing.
 
Italy buying Airbus instead of Boeing, is that because of the current problems within Boeing? That will certainly be a change for Italy and perhaps a wakeup call for Boeing.

They aren't buying Airbus yet, they are considering a new competition rather than sole sourcing it to Boeing as originally planned. The original AM plan was to buy two new KC-46 to expand their fleet and upgrade their four KC-767As to KC-46s. But it isn't actually possible to perform an upgrade like that, they are totally different aircraft variants. While it would be possible to replace the KC-767A's RARO II RVS and boom, and avionics with the upgraded KC-46 systems, I suspect Boeing wouldn't be interested in taking on that business right now, similar to how the have rejected customer interest in a cargo only variant of the KC-46.

So from Italy's perspective, sole sourcing the acquisition lost a lot of steam, and they are going to cast a wider net by holding a competition.
 
They aren't buying Airbus yet, they are considering a new competition rather than sole sourcing it to Boeing as originally planned. The original AM plan was to buy two new KC-46 to expand their fleet and upgrade their four KC-767As to KC-46s. But it isn't actually possible to perform an upgrade like that, they are totally different aircraft variants. While it would be possible to replace the KC-767A's RARO II RVS and boom, and avionics with the upgraded KC-46 systems, I suspect Boeing wouldn't be interested in taking on that business right now, similar to how the have rejected customer interest in a cargo only variant of the KC-46.

So from Italy's perspective, sole sourcing the acquisition lost a lot of steam, and they are going to cast a wider net by holding a competition.
No, the aircrew would revolt if the expresso machine was removed to make it common with the KC-46 ;)
 
Reminds me when I was a logistic clerk at a low-cost airline with the name of Vxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxa, and the night mechanics dropped a couple of coffee machines in my stock of spares and nuts and bolts - and other essential items of Airbus A319.
Wants some advice ?
Never, ever drink coffee onboard their planes. In the name of your stomach and guts survival. Sweet geez. The horror, the horror.
 
That would be a major coup for Airbus if they could get the tanker deal in the US considering what happened when they lost the last tanker competition to the Boeing KC-46.
 
Japan – KC-46A Aerial Refueling Aircraft
WASHINGTON, September 13, 2024 - The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Japan of KC-46A Aerial Refueling Aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $4.1 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

The Government of Japan has requested to buy up to nine (9) KC-46A aircraft; up to eighteen (18) PW4062 turbofan engines; up to sixteen (16) AN/ALR-69A radar warning receivers (RWRs); up to thirty-three (33) Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasure (LAIRCM) Guardian Laser Turret Assemblies (GLTAs); and up to eighteen (18) LAIRCM system processor replacements. The following non-MDE items will also be included: missile warning sensors; Cartridge Actuated Devices and Propellent Actuated Devices (CAD/PADs); control interface units; User Data Module (UDM) cards; electronic warfare database support; KIV-77 crypto modules; KY-100 crypto terminals; AN/PYQ-10 Simple Key Loaders (SKL); AN/APX-119 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) transponders; communications equipment; Computer Program Identification Numbers (CPINS); integration and test support and equipment; aircraft components, parts, and accessories; support and support equipment; spare parts, consumables and accessories, and repair and return support; training aids, devices, and spare parts; minor modifications and maintenance support; instruments and lab equipment; classified and unclassified software delivery and support; facilities and construction support; unclassified publications and technical documentation; personnel training and training equipment; jet fuel; transportation and airlift support; warranties; studies and surveys; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $4.1 billion.
 
That will be bad news for Boeing the longer the strike goes on. The quicker it is resolved the better for all concerned.
 

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