Boeing gets dropped from a competition and remembering the 707
Boeing gets dropped from a competition and remembering the 707
The KC-46 is removed from consideration and looking back on the first flight of the "Dash 80"
“Owing to the development of aviation war has altered in character. Hitherto primarily an affair of “fronts,” it will henceforth be primarily an affair of “areas.” “
Brig Gen P.R.C. Groves, RAF, 1922
Mission Briefing
Italian Air Force Eyes New Tanker Competition After Dropping Boeing Purchase
Italy is considering launching a competition to find a new tanker aircraft after suspending plans to buy six Boeing KC-46 tankers. Sources have told Defense News that this competition could potentially occur this year, with the Airbus A330 MRTT tanker emerging as a strong contender to replace the Italian Air Force’s fleet of four Boeing 767-based tankers, which have been in service since 2011.
Potential Shift to Airbus
If Italy selects the Airbus A330 MRTT, it would signify a significant shift from its reliance on Boeing tankers for over a decade. Initially, in 2021, Italy announced plans to upgrade its B-767 tankers and purchase two additional units. However, in the following year, Rome decided to align more closely with the United States by opting to buy six new KC-46 aircraft, a more modern option.
Last month, Italian defense planners issued a document halting the €1.1 billion ($1.2 billion) purchase of six KC-46 aircraft, citing "changed and unforeseen needs" without further explanation. This decision is likely tied to concerns over the cost and delivery timeline of the new aircraft, as revealed by Defense News.
KC-46 Issues
The KC-46 has faced multiple problems, including a problematic Remote Vision System designed to assist boom operators during refueling. The U.S. Air Force announced in March that the delivery of a replacement system, the RVS 2.0, would be delayed until 2026.
Future Competition
In light of the purchase suspension, plans for a possible competition "to be held within months" are underway, according to a source who spoke anonymously. Although officials have not ruled out a future KC-46 purchase, they are interested in exploring other options in the market. The Airbus A330 MRTT, already in use by France, Spain, and the U.K., is the most likely alternative.
Modernization Efforts
Meanwhile, the Italian Air Force plans to invest €7.5 billion in 24 new Eurofighter jets to replace 26 older versions scheduled to go out of service by 2028. This move underscores Italy's commitment to modernizing its military capabilities amid changing defense needs.
This week in aviation history
The Historic First Flight of the Boeing 367-80
15 July 1954 at precisely 2:14 p.m., Boeing test pilots Alvin M. "Tex" Johnston and Richard L. "Dix" Loesch embarked on a monumental journey. Taking off from Renton Field, south of Seattle, Washington, they piloted the first flight of the Boeing 367-80, registered as N70700. This prototype, destined to become both a military air tanker and a commercial airliner, marked the dawn of a new era in aviation.
A Leap into the Sky
As the Boeing Model 367-80, affectionately known as "Dash Eighty," reached 130 miles per hour (209 kilometers per hour), it lifted off from Renton Municipal Airport. In his autobiography, Tex Johnston vividly recalls the moment:
"We completed our before-takeoff checklist, Dix worked the tower, and we were cleared for takeoff. I called the theodolite station: 'Dash 80, Johnston, stand by, brake release on the count of three.' At full throttle, the four Pratt and Whitney engines at 100-percent power, tail-pipe temperatures and oil pressure on the money, I said, 'One, two, three,' and released the brakes. The airplane leaped forward and accelerated rapidly. We obviously would be airborne by midfield. As airspeed passed the calculated V1 speed, I applied back elevator. The nose lifted off. Dix called 130 mph, and we were airborne."
Soaring Over Seattle
With remarkable speed and agility, the Dash Eighty climbed to 1,200 feet, leaving the runway behind. Over Lake Washington, Johnston adjusted to climb power, noting that the spectators had likely never seen such a performance before.
> "Is this thing going to climb straight up?" Dix commented as they ascended.
For the next 2 hours and 24 minutes, they conducted high- and low-speed handling tests before safely landing at Boeing Field in Seattle. When asked about the aircraft's performance, Johnston replied, "She flew like a bird, only faster."
A Bold Gamble Pays Off
Boeing invested a staggering $16,000,000 in a private venture to build the Dash 80, hoping to showcase its capabilities to potential civilian and military customers. This gamble paid off as the aircraft evolved into the U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker and the Boeing 707, the first successful jet airliner. Despite their similar appearances, the 707 and KC-135 had distinct structural differences, with the 707 featuring a wider fuselage.
A Versatile Legacy
The Boeing 707-320B Stratoliner airframe found use in various military roles, including the E-3A Sentry AWACS command-and-control aircraft and the E-6 Mercury airborne command post. From 1957 to 1979, Boeing produced 820 of the C-135 series and 1,010 Model 707 aircraft.
Technical Marvel
The Boeing Model 367-80 was piloted by a three-person crew and featured a low-mounted wing and engine nacelles on pylons under the wing, similar to the B-47 Stratojet and B-52 Stratofortress. The wings and tail surfaces had a 35° sweep. The aircraft measured 127 feet 10 inches (38.964 meters) in length, with a wingspan of 129 feet 8 inches (39.522 meters) and an overall height of 38 feet (11.582 meters). Its empty weight was 92,100 pounds (41,775.9 kilograms), and it had a loaded weight of 190,000 pounds (86,182.6 kilograms).
Power and Performance
Powered by four Pratt & Whitney Turbo Wasp JT3C engines, the Dash Eighty achieved a cruise speed of 550 miles per hour (885 kilometers per hour) and a maximum speed of 0.84 Mach (582 miles per hour, 937 kilometers per hour) at 25,000 feet (7,620 meters). Its service ceiling was 43,000 feet (13,106 meters), with a range of 3,530 miles (5,681 kilometers).
A Historic Journey Continues
After its initial flight, Boeing continued to use the 367-80 for testing until its retirement on January 22, 1970. At that time, the aircraft had accumulated 2,346 hours and 46 minutes of flight time. Placed in storage at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, it was later restored to flyable condition in 1990 and returned to Renton, where a full restoration was completed. Many who had worked on the Dash 80, including Tex Johnston, were present for this historic moment.
In case you missed it
I did a collaboration with Found & Explained on the 707, he did the civilian story of the jet, while I took on its military application:
Photo Outlet
Not my photo, but I like the angle of the sun on this KC-46A, hopefully the issues with this tanker can be resolved soon.
Post Flight Debrief
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-Tog