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53-645: The tanker was developed for the Italian and Japanese air forces, who ordered four tankers each. Financing of the development of the aircraft has largely been borne by Boeing, in the hope of receiving major orders from the USAF. Boeing's revised KC-767 proposal to the USAF was selected in February 2011 for the KC-X program under the designation KC-46 . At the start of the 2000s a considerable and sudden increase in their maintenance costs

106-442: A 1,000 nautical miles (1,900 kilometres; 1,200 miles) mission. All fuel to receiver aircraft is supplied directly from the centre tank, if necessary, drawing fuel from conventional fuel tanks; this is controlled automatically by the fuel management system together with the centre of gravity computer, to ensure correct fuel feed to the engines , and maintaining the correct centre of gravity in flight. The dual hose and drogue system

159-514: A flying boom refuelling system such as that used by the United States Air Force (USAF). They are now able to offer air tankers from the A310 with air-to-air refuelling pods to the larger A330 MRTT equipped with refuelling booms. When installed, the flying boom system can deliver fuel to receiver aircraft at a rate of 1,200 US gallons (4,500 litres ; 1,000 imperial gallons ) per minute, and

212-819: A founding member brought about the necessity for the modernization of all of the Italian armed forces, including the Italian Air Force. American military aid sent by the Mutual Defense Assistance Program brought about the introduction of American-made P-47 Thunderbolt and P-51 Mustang propeller-driven fighter planes . In 1952, the Italian Air Force was granted jet fighters for the first time, American F-84G Thunderjets and F-86D Sabres , together with over 200 licence-built British de Havilland Vampires ; these were followed by Republic F-84F Thunderstreak fighters and C-119 Flying Boxcar transport planes from

265-457: A participant in multinational air forces, such as that of NATO over the former Yugoslavia , just a few minutes flying time east of the Italian peninsula. The commanders of the Italian Air Force soon saw the need to improve the Italian air defences. The capability of the Italian Air Force as a transportation unit has been improved with the acquisition of 22 American C-130J tactical transports and 12 Alenia C-27J Spartans, which have replaced all of

318-479: A similar fuel capacity to the KC-135R . Because of the larger passenger cabin, it is much more flexible, offering good capacity for cargo, troop transport , VIP transport , or other uses; and lacking only the capacity to land on rough strips to qualify as a strategic transport. Airbus hopes to sell it to some of the countries that need to replace the aging Boeing 707s they use as tankers. The first operational use with

371-754: A troop transport role, the A310 MRTT can accommodate up to 214  seats . And for a mixed-use combined troop transport and cargo, it can carry 54 troops and 12 pallets. The A310 MRTT contains four separate cargo systems within the fuselage , including the main deck cargo compartment, which is loaded and unloaded via the vertically opening main deck cargo door, located on the front left ( port ) side. This means that main deck cargo can be loaded by overhead crane, in addition to conventional cargo loading platforms. Below deck are three more cargo compartments, and can accommodate container and palletised loads up to 96 inches (2,400 millimetres) in height. When used in

424-830: A variant of the KC-767, designated as the KC-767 Multi Mission Tanker Transport (MMTT). Designed as a cost-effective option against the KC-46 and the A330 MRTT, the KC-767 MMTT involves the conversion of pre-owned Boeing 767s into aerial tankers by the Bedek Aviation Group, a subsidiary of IAI. It is configured to suit the necessities of the customer, with multiple capabilities - including cargo transport, VIP transport, aerial refueling and ISR . As part of its capabilities,

477-421: Is a subsequent development from the earlier Airbus A310 MRT Multi-Role Transport , which was a military transport aircraft for passengers, cargo, and medical evacuation. The A310 MRT and A310 MRTT are both specialist military conversions of existing airframes of the civilian Airbus A310-300C wide-bodied passenger jet airliner . The Airbus A310 MRTT Multi-Role Tanker Transport is a military derivative of

530-443: Is supplied by two hose drum units (HDU) centrally mounted side by side in the rear fuselage. The A310 MRTT is 30% smaller by MTOW than the newer A330 MRTT. Since the production of A310 airframes was discontinued in 2007, the air-to-air refuelling conversion can only be made on existing refurbished airliners, or as an upgrade to A310 MRTs already used by air forces (the option taken by Germany and Canada). As an air tanker, it has

583-570: Is the Frecce Tricolori . From 1923 until the end of WW2 the Italian Air Force was called Regia Aeronautica . Italy was among the earliest adopters of military aviation. Its air arm dates back to 1884, when the Italian Royal Army ( Regio Esercito ) was authorised to acquire its own air component. The Air Service ( Corpo Aeronautico Militare ) operated balloons based near Rome. In 1911, reconnaissance and bombing sorties during

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636-636: Is the air force of the Italian Republic . The Italian Air Force was founded as an independent service arm on 28 March 1923 by King Victor Emmanuel III as the Regia Aeronautica ("Royal Air Force"). After World War II , when Italy became a republic following a referendum, the Regia Aeronautica was given its current name. Since its formation, the service has held a prominent role in modern Italian military history . The acrobatic display team

689-636: The CC-150 Polaris in Canadian service, the first also delivered October 2004. During June 2007, EADS delivered the first upgraded A310 MRTT with new mission avionics to the German Air Force. This new mission avionics suite facilitated the allocation of the upgraded A310 MRTT to NATO Reaction Forces . While the original and current A310 MRTTs rely on probe and drogue for air-to-air refuelling, EADS has invested $ 90m in research and development of

742-706: The Italo-Turkish War by the Servizio Aeronautico represented the first use of heavier-than-air aircraft in armed conflict. On 28 March 1923, the Italian Air Force was founded as an independent service by King Vittorio Emanuele III of the Kingdom of Italy . This air force was known as the Regia Aeronautica (Royal Air Force). During the 1930s, the fledgling Regia Aeronautica was involved in its first military operations, first in Ethiopia in 1935, and later in

795-588: The Republic of Korea Air Force 's procurement of four tanker aircraft. In June 2015, South Korea selected the A330 MRTT over the KC-46 for the procurement. In 2013, the Brazilian Air Force Command (FAB) selected IAI to provide two KC-767-300ER MMTT tankers, under its KC-X2 procurement initiative. However, a contract for the supply of the two aircraft was never finalised, and the project was ultimately abandoned. On 24 February 2011, Boeing's KC-767 proposal

848-517: The Spanish Civil War between 1936 and 1939. After a period of neutrality, Italy entered World War II on 10 June 1940 alongside Germany. The Regia Aeronautica could deploy more than 3,000 aircraft, although fewer than 60% were serviceable. It fought from the icy steppes of Russia to the sands of the North African desert, losing men and machines. After the armistice of 8 September 1943 , Italy

901-480: The U.S. DoD in 2002 and that appeared in the 2004 edition of the DoD Model Designation report. For its Commercial Derivative Air Refueling Aircraft program, the USAF decided to lease around 100 KC-767 tankers from Boeing after it was selected. Despite other nations engaging in leasing of military aircraft, there was some criticism. U.S. Senator John McCain questioned whether it is really cost-effective for

954-672: The aero - medical MedEvac role, the A310 MRTT can accommodate up to six intensive care units , together with 56 conventional stretchers . Operated by a crew of three: two pilots and the air-to-air refuelling (AAR) operator, the pilots are able to directly operate all functions of in-flight refuelling, even if the AAR post is deactivated. Depending on mission, the A310 MRTT can deliver up to 33 tonnes (32 long tons ; 36 short tons ) of fuel to receiver aircraft on an operation of 3,000 nautical miles (5,600 kilometres ; 3,500 miles ), or up to 40 tonnes (39 long tons; 44 short tons) of fuel during

1007-657: The 1970s, the Air Force acquired the Italian Aeritalia G222 and the modern American C-130 Hercules tactical transport planes, capable of carrying cargo or paratroopers . It also received the new Aeritalia F-104S Starfighter fighters for ground attack and air-defence purposes. A push to expand the Italian aircraft industry led Italy into the huge trilateral project that developed the Panavia Tornado fighter-bomber and air-defence fighters along with West Germany and

1060-524: The 767 aircraft, Boeing would provide the conversion technology based on its KC-767 tanker design and BAE Systems would perform the majority of aircraft modifications. Marshall Aerospace, Serco, Spectrum, and Capital were also part of TTSC. The Ministry of Defence announced in January 2004 that it had selected the Airbus A330 MRTT to fulfill this requirement. The KC-767 was to compete with the A330 MRTT for

1113-522: The A310 MRT involves: The design of the in-flight refuelling pod and wing reinforcements and systems was subcontracted to ITD SA, at that time part of the Industria de Turbo Propulsores (ITP) Group. When not used as an in-flight refueller, i.e., in an air cargo role, the A310 MRTT is capable of carrying a non-fuel payload of up to 37 tonnes (36 long tons ; 41 short tons ), or 81,600 lb. When used in

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1166-562: The Airbus A310-300C twin-jet wide-bodied jet airliner . The A310 MRTT was primarily designed for military use as a multi-role air-to-air refuelling tanker, cargo transport, passenger transport, and aeromedical evacuation (MedEvac) aircraft. The aircraft are designed , engineered , manufactured , and modified by Airbus Industrie and EADS subsidiary Airbus Military SAS , along with their subcontractors, which included Airbus Deutschland and Lufthansa Technik . The conversion from

1219-535: The G222s. In 2003, the Italian Air Force extended its capabilities to small-scale land warfare by small special-forces units. This was accomplished by forming the 17º Stormo Incursori ("17th Special Operations Wing"), also known as RIAM ( Reparto Incursori Aeronautica Militare , "Air Force Raiders Group"), a unit that is primarily responsible for raids on land-based aeronautical compounds, forward air control missions and combat search and rescue operations. As of 2014,

1272-595: The German Luftwaffe took place on 4 February 2009 ; 15 years ago  ( 2009-02-04 ) , when three German Eurofighter Typhoons of Jagdgeschwader 73 Steinhoff (30+23, 30+25, and 30+38), led by Colonel Andreas Schick, were refuelled en-route by an A310 MRTT tanker aircraft during their deployment from Laage Airbase ( German : Flughafen Rostock-Laage ), Rostock , Germany, to Yelahanka Air Force Station , near Bangalore , India. Despite not yet receiving final approval of in-flight refuelling operations by

1325-624: The German authorities, this air-to-air refuelling mission was sanctioned as part of the A310 MRTTs 'operational testing phase' for in-flight refuelling, and consisted of a flight route of nearly 8,200 kilometres (4,400 nautical miles), including a stopover at the Al Dahfra airbase ( Arabic : قاعدة الظفرة الجوية ) in the United Arab Emirates . The objective of the deployment to India was to demonstrate

1378-459: The Italian Air Force operates a total active fleet of 557 aerial vehicles, including 209 manned and 12 unmanned combat aircraft, with eight more Eurofighter Typhoon on order and 75 more F-35s planned. Airbus A310 MRTT The Airbus A310 MRTT Multi-Role Tanker Transport is a military air-to-air refuelling , or in-flight refuelling tanker transport aircraft, capable of operating multi-role missions. The A310 MRTT tanker aircraft

1431-453: The KC-767 MMTT has a maximum takeoff weight of 400,000  lb (180,000  kg ) and a maximum fuel load of 159,800–200,000 lb (72,500–90,700 kg), with the capacity to support 13 Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters on missions with a range of 1,000  nmi (1,900 km; 1,200 mi). The first KC-767 MMTT, converted from a Boeing 767-200ER platform formerly operated by Air China ,

1484-431: The KC-767 MMTT incorporates a special cargo door, built-in cargo pallet capabilities, interchangeable passenger seats and operator consoles, ARP3 wing refueling pods and a fly-by-wire boom refueling system. As part of the conversion process, a significant proportion of the structure, wiring and systems of the aircraft are replaced, upgraded or refurbished, tailored to the customer's specific requirements. According to Bedek,

1537-533: The KC-767 over the Airbus A310 MRTT and signed a contract in 2003. The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) ordered four aircraft and has designated the tanker KC-767J . In June 2005, Japan's first aircraft arrived at Boeing's Wichita, Kansas modification center to be fitted out with the tanker equipment. Delivery of the first KC-767J for the JASDF was delayed approximately two years due to development issues and

1590-471: The USAF to lease aircraft at all, particularly as the aircraft would probably not have many, if any, buyers when their U.S. military service ended. The Congressional Budget Office has also criticized the draft leasing agreement as fiscally irresponsible. In November 2003, a compromise was struck whereby the Air Force would purchase 80 KC-767 aircraft and lease 20 more. In December 2003, the Pentagon announced

1643-683: The United Kingdom. Tornado fighters were still in service with all three nations, plus a few more, as of 2019. Italian companies worked with the Embraer Company of Brazil in a smaller project to develop and produce the AMX International AMX aircraft. In 1990, after the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait , Italy joined the coalition forces, and for the first time in 45 years Italian pilots and aircraft were assigned to combat operations. Needing to replace

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1696-734: The United States. The reborn Italian aviation industry also began to develop and produce a few indigenous aircraft designs of its own, such as the Fiat G91 , the Aermacchi MB-326 , the Piaggio Aero P.166 and the line of Agusta-Bell helicopters. The first supersonic fighters added to the Italian Air Force were American-designed F-104 Starfighters that were produced by a group of several European aircraft companies, including Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm , Dornier , Fiat , Fokker and SABCA . During

1749-509: The addition of the aircraft receiving FAA certification. The Japanese version of the tanker is equipped only with the boom refueling system. Boeing and its Japanese representative Itochu agreed with Japan Ministry of Defense (MoD) to pay a penalty fee for the delivery delay, according to the MoD Statement. The first operational KC-767J was delivered to the JASDF on 19 February 2008, with the second KC-767J following on 5 March. The third KC-767

1802-774: The aircraft likely to be procured for the IAF is the KC-767 MMTT. Australia selected the Airbus A330 MRTT in April 2004 after competition with the KC-767 due to the A330's larger fuel and cargo capability. Boeing, teamed with BAE Systems and British Airways , offered the KC-767 to the UK's RAF for its Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft . The companies formed the Tanker Transport Services Consortium (TTSC). British Airways would provide

1855-538: The aircraft. Italy selected the KC-767A and signed a contract in 2002 becoming the launch customer, with delivery set for 2005. The Italian Air Force ( Aeronautica Militare ) ordered four aircraft. This version is based on the 767-200ER and is named the KC-767 Tanker Transport , and is fitted with boom and hose-drogue refueling systems on the centerline with hose-drogue wingpod systems. Italy's aircraft became

1908-470: The end of the Kingdom of Italy and the establishment of the Italian Republic on 18 June 1946. Hence the Regia Aeronautica lost its "Royal" designation, and it became the Aeronautica Militare , a name that it has continued to hold ever since. The Peace Treaty of Paris of 1947 placed severe restrictions on all of the Italian armed forces, but the establishment of NATO in 1949 with Italy as

1961-461: The first KC-767 to be assembled. The aircraft were initially built as 767-200ER commercial airplanes, then flown to a separate facility for conversion into tankers. Italy's first aircraft made its maiden flight on 21 May 2005. Italy's second aircraft arrived for modification at the facility of Boeing's partner, Aeronavali , in Naples , Italy, on 6 May 2005. Delivery of the tankers to the Italian Air Force

2014-788: The first time on 5 March 2007. The tanker completed another test milestone on 12 April 2007 when its aircrew successfully extended and retracted both wing refueling hoses. In November 2007, Boeing decided to shift modification work on the KC-767A tankers for Italy and Japan from subcontractor Aeronavali's facility in Italy to Boeing's Wichita facility in an effort to meet delivery schedules. Data from KC-767A , and Boeing 767-200ER specifications General characteristics Performance Related development Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era Italian Air Force The Italian Air Force ( Italian : Aeronautica Militare ; AM , lit.   ' military aeronautics ' )

2067-584: The obsolete F-104 Starfighters, Italy joined with Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom in the development of the Eurofighter Typhoon , which was expected to enter the Italian Air Force in 2000. In 1994, with the Typhoon still some years from introduction to service, 24 Panavia Tornado Air Defense Variant (ADV) interceptors were leased from the United Kingdom for a period of 10 years. The ADV Tornados served as fighter-interceptors to supplement and then to replace

2120-512: The old F-104 Starfighters. However, delays in the production of the Typhoon forced the Italians to seek a supplement, and then replacement, for the leased Tornado ADVs. With the UK lease due to expire in 2004, the Italian government wished to avoid a costly lease extension and instead opted to lease 34 F-16 Fighting Falcon multi-role fighter planes on multi-year leases from the US. The last of these fighters

2173-586: The project was to be frozen while an investigation of allegations of corruption by one of its former procurement staffers, Darleen Druyun (who had moved to Boeing in January) was undertaken. Reporter Joseph L. Galloway wrote that some documents found in congressional investigation indicated the A330-based tanker met more of the USAF specifications than the Boeing tanker and had a lower proposed cost. Druyun pleaded guilty and

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2226-511: The two types "shows that the EADS offering presents a higher-risk technical approach and less preferred financial arrangement". It also said that the larger KC-330 "does not bring with it a commensurate increase in available air-refuelling offload". In addition, the KC-767 has manual flight controls with an unrestricted flight envelope . The Boeing tanker officially received the KC-767A designation from

2279-596: Was delayed due to an issue with flutter of the wing pods and other technical issues. Boeing provided a 767 for training during this time. After resolving the issues, Boeing delivered the first KC-767 in January, and the second in March 2011. These aircraft officially entered service on 17 May 2011 with the 14º Stormo. After entering service, the two KC-767s have supported NATO operations in Afghanistan and Libya. The final two tankers were delivered in late 2011. In 2001, Japan selected

2332-587: Was delivered in November 2010. Colombia's KC-767 MMTT supported US Navy EA-18G Growlers during Exercise Red Flag 19-2 in March 2019. In April 2022, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and IAI signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to convert six pre-owned civilian aircraft into AAR tankers/freighter aircraft, for the Indian Air Force (IAF). Although the specifications of the selected aircraft are yet to be divulged, Indian representatives have stated that

2385-467: Was delivered to the JASDF in March 2009. The three KC-767J aircraft reached initial operational capability (IOC) status with the JASDF in May 2009. The fourth tanker was delivered in January 2010. The aircraft are operated out of Komaki Air Base by 404th Tactical Airlift Tanker Squadron . As a low-cost alternative for nations unable to purchase new-build AAR tankers, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) developed

2438-541: Was divided into two sides, and the same fate befell the Regia Aeronautica . The Air Force was split into the Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force in the south aligned with the Allies, and the pro-Axis Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana in the north until the end of the war. On 8 May 1945, the hostilities ended, beginning the rebirth of military aviation in Italy. A popular vote by the people resulted in

2491-458: Was intended to test the tanker's fifth-generation fly-by-wire telescoping boom. Unlike the KC-135 boom operator, who is prone, the KC-767 operator uses a remote station with a video display. The testing was being done at Edwards Air Force Base , and the test aircraft was destined for Italy once testing was complete. The KC-767 extended its air refueling boom and transferred fuel to another aircraft for

2544-537: Was leading the U.S. Air Force to run a procurement program for the replacement of around 100 of its oldest KC-135E Stratotankers. Most USAF KC-135s are of the updated KC-135R variant. In early 2002 the USAF began negotiations with Boeing on the lease of tankers based on the Boeing 767 after it considered the Airbus A330 -based tanker, the KC-330, to be more costly and a higher technical risk. The USAF said that an assessment of

2597-574: Was returned to the United States in May 2012, following the Italian Air Force's acquisition of a sufficient number of Typhoons over a period of several years. The Typhoons are intended to replace all of the F-104, Tornado ADV and F-16 aircraft. The last of the Italian F-104s was withdrawn from service in 2004. Armed conflicts in Somalia , Mozambique and the nearby Balkans led to the Italian Air Force becoming

2650-440: Was selected by the USAF as the winning offer to replace part of the KC-135 fleet. The aircraft received the designation KC-46A . Boeing was awarded an initial development contract to build and deliver 18 operational tankers by 2017. On 23 January 2007, the KC-767 flight test aircraft set a program milestone by making its first hookup with a receiver aircraft, a Boeing B-52 Stratofortress . The "dry contact" transferred no fuel, but

2703-490: Was sentenced to nine months in jail for "negotiating a job with Boeing at the same time she was involved in contracts with the company". Additional fallout included the termination of Boeing CFO Michael M. Sears , who was sentenced to four months in prison in 2005, and the resignation of Boeing CEO Philip M. Condit . The Air Force's KC-767A contract was officially canceled by the DoD in January 2006. Boeing continued development of

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2756-731: Was supplied by Flight Refuelling Ltd (FRL) of England, and uses the Mk32B pods under each wing on pylons, close to the wingtips . Two receiver aircraft can be refuelled simultaneously, and is capable of delivering 15,000 litres (3,300 imperial gallons; 4,000 US gallons) per minute. The German Air Force (Luftwaffe) was the first customer for the MRTT, converting four of their seven existing A310 MRTs, with deliveries starting in October 2004. The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) converted two of their five existing A310 MRTs to MRTT configuration, which are known as

2809-525: Was tested in 2010; the converted tanker successfully demonstrated the aerial refueling of an IAI Kfir C10 fighter during a 3.5 hour test flight. In 2008, IAI was contracted to convert a secondhand Boeing 767-200ER, into an AAR tanker which would also serve as VIP transport, for the Colombian Air Force. The converted aircraft, nicknamed "Jupiter" (FAC-1202), was successfully tested in September 2010, and

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