Transport aircraft
The Boeing 767 tanker transport aircraft designated KC767 for the US Air Force, is a high presentation version of the Boeing 767 200ER twin aisle jetliner equipped for fully integrated tanker operations. Transport aircraft is fitted with boom and receptacle refueling, hose and drogue refueling or both. The transport aircraft 767 first entered service in 1982 and more than 880 transport aircraft have been delivered. The cabin of the transport aircraft can be configured for passenger transport, as a freighter, adaptable (passenger or freighter) or Combo (passenger and freighter).
In the 1980s and in 1990/91 Boeing transport aircraft conducted studies directed towards the recognition of an appropriate successor to the KC 135 Stratotanker, a resulting of the Boeing transport aircraft 707. In 1991 the 707 production line was finally closed and studies definite that the long range twin engine 767 was a strong candidate to replace the KC135. Boeing transport aircraft submitted a revised bid for the KCX in April 2007, the KC767AT Advanced Tanker based on a newer version 767200LR long variety freighter aircraft (rather than the 200ER) with Pratt and Whitney PW4062 engines.
In July 2001, the Italian Air Force prearranged four 767 tanker transport aircraft in the combo variant with deliveries scheduled to begin in mid 2008. The maiden flight of the first transport aircraft was in May 2005. Boeing transport aircraft announced in May 2009 that the three KC 767J aerial refueling tankers had achieved initial equipped capability (IOC) and have been placed in a lively air wing in the Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF).
Design of transport aircraft:
The construction of transport aircraft incorporates new materials such as improved aluminum alloys, graphite composites and hybrid Kevlar graphite composites, which give improved strength, durability and longevity. The configuration of a profitable 767 for the transport aircraft role involves the fitting of additional pumps and auxiliary fuel tanks together with the fuel allocation lines below the floor of the major cabin, leaving the main cabin free for cargo, passenger or both cargo and traveler transportation.