KC-46 A – will it be the next force multiplier of the...

KC-46 A – will it be the next force multiplier of the Israeli airforce?

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Boeing and the US Air Force have last week tested a KC-46A tanker aircraft.

During the flight, Boeing test pilots performed operational checks on engines, flight controls and environmental systems and took the tanker to a maximum altitude of 35,000 feet prior to landing. This was the first flight of a KC-46A tanker-configured aircraft, following on-going flights of the program’s first test aircraft, a 767-2C.

The Boeing team now will conduct a post-flight inspection and calibrate instrumentation prior to the next series of flights, during which the tanker boom and WARPs systems will be deployed.

The advanced Aerial tanker is one of the main component of the Israeli  “compensation package” Israel prepared after the signing of the “Iran nuclear deal” in Vienna on July 14.

The list that Israel is preparing will probably include additional Lockheed Martin F-35’s , KC-46A aerial refueling aircraft , Boeing V-22 Tilt rotor aircraft and some types of bunker buster bombs that, so far, have not been exported by the U.S.

In February a contract for the purchase of another 14 Lockheed Martin F-35 (Adir) fighters for the Israeli Air Force (IAF) was signed.

The IAF and the Ministry of Defense wanted to purchase 31 F-35 but strong opposition in the Israeli cabinet limited the number in the new $2.82 billion U.S deal. The new contract includes options for 17 additional F-35. In 2010 , Israel has already signed a deal to purchase 19 F-35.

The IAF wants the Boeing V-22 that has been test flown by IAF pilots and demonstrated in Israel.

Israel aerospace industries (IAI) has offered a converted Boeing 767 to the IAF as a new aerial tanker.

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