TSAMTO, November 3. To Miho Air Base (Tottori Prefecture) On October 29, the first (out of four ordered) multi-purpose tanker KC-46A produced by Boeing arrived.
As reported by Scramble.nl, an aircraft with serial number 14-3611 made a non-stop flight from Seattle-Boeing Field International Airport (Washington, DC) to the Yonago Miho base, where it will be operated as part of the 405 Squadron of the 3rd Transport Aviation Regiment.
As previously reported by TSAMTO, in October 2015, the Japanese Ministry of Defense announced Boeing as the winner of the tender for the supply of new tanker aircraft for the Air Self-Defense Forces. The KC-46A will replace four operational KC-767J.
In September 2016, the US State Department approved the potential supply of four KC-46A tanker aircraft, as well as related equipment and services, to Japan under the Foreign Military Sales program. The total value of the sale was estimated at $1.9 billion.
In December 2017, the US Air Force Command signed a contract with Boeing for the supply of the first KC-46A aircraft for the Japanese Air Self-Defense Forces. In December 2018, an agreement was signed with Boeing to supply Japan with the second KC-46A, and in October 2020 – the third and fourth. It is reported that there is an option for the supply of two additional aircraft.
The assembly of the first KC-46A for Japan began in September 2019, flight tests – in February 2021, the first test refueling in the air was performed on August 9, 2021. The first engine tests have recently been carried out on the second KC-46A (s.n. 14-3612). Its transfer to Japan is expected to take place in December this year.
In mid-June, the US Air Force announced the beginning of training of Japanese crews to pilot the KC-46A. The first group of specialists of the 405th Refueling Squadron (ARS) established in December 2020 The Japan Air Self-Defense Force has started to get acquainted with the KC-46A at the Altus Air Force Base in Oklahoma.
Boeing is assembling KC-46A aircraft for the US Air Force and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force at its facility in Everett (Washington). Boeing's Japanese partners produce about 16% of the KC-46 airframe design.
Japanese KC-46A will be able to refuel aircraft of the Air Self-Defense Forces of Japan, as well as aircraft of the Air Force, Navy and USMC.
