PRZOOM - /newswire/ - Newmarket, Suffolk, United Kingdom, 2016/03/07 - The Boeing test team successfully completed the first flight of the programme’s second KC-46A tanker aircraft yesterday, taking off from Paine Field and landing later at Boeing Field in Seattle [NYSE: BA] - Boeing.com / Cobham.com.

During the flight, Boeing test pilots performed operational checks on engines, flight controls and environmental systems.

"Adding a second tanker to the flight test programme is very important as we move into the next phase of testing," said Col. John Newberry, U.S. Air Force KC-46 System programme manager. "The team will initially use the aircraft to test mission system avionics and exterior lighting. Later, it will share the air refueling effort with the first KC-46."

The Boeing team now will conduct a post-flight inspection and calibrate instrumentation prior to the next series of flights. As part of the overall flight test programme, the KC-46 will demonstrate it can refuel 18 different aircraft. The second tanker will help share the test load and receiver certification.

Boeing was awarded a contract in 2011 to design and develop the U.S. Air Force's next-generation tanker aircraft and is building four test aircraft - two are currently configured as 767-2Cs and two as KC-46A tankers.

EMD-1, a 767-2C test aircraft, has completed more than 260 flight test hours to date since its first flight in December 2014. EMD-2, the programme's first KC-46A tanker, made its maiden flight September 25, 2015 and has now completed more than 180 flight test hours. EMD-3, a 767-2C, will begin flight testing later this year.

The KC-46A is a multirole tanker Boeing is building for the U.S. Air Force that can refuel all allied and coalition military aircraft compatible with international air-to-air refueling procedures and can carry passengers, cargo and patients. Overall, Boeing plans to build 179 KC-46 aircraft for the U.S. Air Force.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defence, space and security businesses specialising in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Defence, Space & Security is a $31 billion business with about 50,000 employees worldwide.

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Contact: Charles Ramey - KC-46 Tanker Programme
M: +1 206-851-4147 - E: charles.b.ramey[.]boeing.com.

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