Transport Aircraft
Boeing KC-767
The Boeing KC-767 is an aerial refuelling tanker and transport made by Boeing in the United States from the 767-200ER airliner. It has served in Italy and Japan since 2008, with four aircraft in each country.
United States|BoeingOverview
The KC-767 converts the Boeing 767-200ER into a tanker. Italy ordered four KC-767A in 2002 and Japan four KC-767J in 2003, and both programmes suffered multi-year delays from certification and technical problems. Two turbofans of the CF6-80C2 class give a maximum speed of about 851 km/h and a range of about 12,200 km on a ferry flight. The aircraft has a crew of three and can carry passengers or cargo. Offload is roughly 30 tonnes at 1,000 nautical miles, an approximate figure.
The Japan Air Self-Defense Force took its first KC-767J in 2008, with all four delivered by early 2010 to the 404th Squadron at Komaki. Italy received its first KC-767A in 2011 and the fourth in 2013, based with the 14th Wing at Pratica di Mare. About eight were built in total. The design led to the KC-46A Pegasus, which won the US KC-X competition in 2011 over the Airbus A330 MRTT, and Japan has also ordered KC-46A tankers. Price is roughly 150 million US dollars, hedged.
Key Specifications
Variants
The KC-767A is the Italian Air Force tanker with a flying boom and wing pods.
The KC-767J is the Japanese tanker used by the 404th Squadron at Komaki.
The KC-46 Pegasus is the later US tanker derived from the 767 design.
Operators
Italy
JapanFrequently Asked Questions
How much does the Boeing KC-767 cost?
The Boeing KC-767 costs roughly 150 million US dollars per aircraft, a hedged estimate. The Italian and Japanese orders were each for four aircraft, about eight in total.
How many KC-767 tankers exist?
Boeing built about eight KC-767 tankers, four for Italy and four for Japan. Italy’s four were delivered between 2011 and 2013, and Japan’s by early 2010.
What is the range of the KC-767?
The Boeing KC-767 has a ferry range of about 12,200 km, an approximate figure. It can offload roughly 30 tonnes of fuel at a 1,000 nautical mile radius.
KC-767 vs A330 MRTT: which is better?
The Airbus A330 MRTT has been far more widely exported than the Boeing KC-767, which only Italy and Japan operate. Boeing’s successor, the KC-46A Pegasus, won the US KC-X competition in 2011 against the A330 MRTT.
Which countries use the KC-767?
Italy and Japan are the only countries that operate the Boeing KC-767, with four aircraft each. Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar fly the A330 MRTT, and Türkiye uses KC-135R tankers.
How does the KC-767 refuel aircraft?
The Boeing KC-767 refuels with a Boeing flying boom and, on the Italian fit, wing-mounted hose-and-drogue pods. Its crew of three includes a boom operator.