12 September 2013 Ministry of Defence and Defence Equipment and Support

UK military pilots have been involved in the second round of vertical night landings at sea of the new F-35B Lightning II fighter aircraft.

Speaking at the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) event in London, the UK Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, Philip Dunne, said:
 

Our Armed Forces will be equipped with the best next generation jet fighter machine, giving them the operational advantage they will need to protect our citizens for decades to come.

The fifth-generation stealth aircraft will fly from the Royal Navy’s Queen Elizabeth Carriers from 2018.

12 septembre 2013 par Frédéric Lert – Aerobuzz.fr

Devant la commission de la Défense, Eric Trappier, PDG de Dassault Aviation, a mis les pieds dans le plat. Il renvoie les politiques à leurs responsabilités.

Eric Trappier, PDG de Dassault Aviation, était auditionné hier par la commission de la Défense, présidée par la député du Finistère Patrica Adam. Pendant un peu plus d’une heure, les questions, et les réponses, ont porté sur la question des drones mais aussi et surtout sur le programme Rafale. Et c’est dans les dernières secondes de son audition, qu’Eric Trappier a lâché cette confidence étonnante, alors qu’il était interrogé sur les modalités d’implantation d’une chaine de fabrication et d’une partie de la sous-traitance en Inde :

Ce qu’il faut comprendre, c’est que le tissu de sous-traitants commence à être sérieusement démotivé par les atermoiements français et les aléas du programme Rafale. Quand Dassault se bat pour assurer la fabrication d’un avion par mois, Airbus affiche quant à lui des cadences cinquante fois supérieures. Le choix est vite fait pour les sous-traitants qui savent de quel côté regarder pour faire tourner leurs ateliers et gérer leurs boutiques…

Suite de l’article

September 12th, 2013 By US Navy - defencetalk.com

The Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Force (MPRF) is transitioning into a new type/model/series (TMS) for the first time in 50 years.

To make this transition a success, the Naval Aviation Enterprise (NAE) and industry leaders are working to sustain the legacy P-3C and EP-3E while the P-8A TMS is being introduced to the fleet.

The last time the MPRF Community transitioned to a new TMS was in 1962 with the delivery of the first P-3A to Patrol Squadron (VP) 8. As in the past, the key to a successful transition is constant communication and cooperation across all levels of the NAE and industry. The following highlights are evidence of the success of these efforts.

The fleet transition to the P-8A Poseidon is progressing well and on schedule. In Jacksonville, Fla., the Fleet Replacement Squadron, VP-30, MPRF Weapons School and P-8A Fleet Introduction Team have been busy facilitating the transition of the first three fleet squadrons from P-3C to P-8A. VP-16 achieved Safe for Flight (SFF) in January 2013 and is progressing through the Inter-Deployment Readiness Cycle (IDRC) in preparation for the first P-8A deployment in December. VP-5 achieved SFF and began their IDRC in the beginning of August, and VP-45 just started transition upon returning from their last P-3 deployment in June.

Over the last year, Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 1 successfully completed P-8A Initial Operational Test and Evaluation supported by multiple detachments, exercises and real-world operations. As expected, the aircraft (based on the Boeing 737) has been extremely reliable. The mission systems have performed well and the aircrews are rapidly becoming more adept at flying and employing the aircraft while the maintenance team is developing the skills required to repair and maintain this modern aircraft.

The supply chain is expanding to meet the demands of a new aircraft and the community is constantly learning to ensure that the P-8A is poised for success when it deploys this winter. While there have been many challenges as the P-8A executes test and fleet introduction simultaneously, the P-8A program continues to be a model of effective planning and execution. The airframe and mission systems are a significant technological leap forward and provide commanders with a reliable platform hosting advanced technology sensors.

Legacy Platforms

As the P-3C and EP-3E continue their trek toward the end of their life cycle, many challenges need to be overcome, including parts obsolescence, increased levels of support for legacy components, and a shortage of flight line assets. In 2007, MPRF “red stripe” events, which grounded aircraft due to “fatigue tracking metrics beyond acceptable limits,” left the community with 49 mission aircraft to support the high operational demand across the globe and at home.

More than 50 percent of the P-3 fleet was out of reporting (OOR) due to the red stripe. Massive sustainment efforts have been made and we are beginning to see a real return on our investment as aircraft are returned to service. In FY14, we plan on reducing the amount of our P-3C inventory OOR for depot-level sustainment events and technological modifications by more than 10 percent, and we plan to reach P-3′s required number of Primary Aircraft Assigned by the end of FY15. We expect to have sufficient ready-for-tasking assets to meet deployment and training requirements until platform sundown, but P-8A delivery must proceed as planned to ensure there is no gap in coverage for Global Force Management.

Our cost savings efforts have been effective and multiple cost reduction initiatives have allowed the aging force to operate efficiently and effectively. Recently, initiatives to improve Engine Driven Compressor maintenance and place our APS-137 Receiver Exciter Processor and Transmitter under a Performance Based Logistics contract with Raytheon have helped reduce cost by 11 percent. With more than 50 years of faithful and dedicated service complete, the mighty P-3C Orion is prepared to finish its service to the Navy at full speed.

Manpower

One of the most complicated pieces of the MPRF transition is manpower. When the transition is completed, the MPRF community will consist of the P-8A Poseidon teamed with the MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft system. The P-8A/MQ-4C combination will be responsible for all the missions currently covered by VP, Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadrons (VQ), and Patrol Squadron Special Projects Unit (VPU) today. The MPRF transition is a unique manpower story and a challenge – the P-3C is being replaced by two new TMSs – but all manpower is being sourced from within the legacy community. The restructuring has already begun with the consolidation of the VQ and VPU last year, and the continued transition of P-8A squadrons in Jacksonville. Unmanned Patrol Squadron 19, the first MQ-4C squadron, is currently scheduled to begin its standup with an officer-in-charge in late FY14.

Conclusion

The MPRF Community has almost fully recovered from the 2007 red stripe and is quickly transitioning to the new P-8A. The successful turnaround since 2007 can be directly attributed to the NAE and industry leaders working towards a common goal of recovery and eventual transition to the next generation of maritime patrol aircraft, both manned and unmanned.

11-09-2013 Par Vincent Lamigeon - challenges.fr

Les révélations de l'ancien sous-traitant de la NSA sur les écoutes des conversations de leur présidente ont poussé les Brésiliens à stopper les négociations avec Boeing. Une chance pour l'avion français.

Le coup semblait pourtant parfait. Après avoir longtemps fait figure de challenger face au Rafale de Dassault sur la compétition brésilienne pour 36 avions de chasse, le F-18 de Boeing, soutenu par la surpuissante machine de guerre diplomatique américaine, semblait bien parti pour emporter la décision ces prochains mois. Une dépêche de Reuters évoquait même en juin une décision officielle en octobre prochain  sur ce contrat estimé à quatre milliards de dollars, lors de la visite de la présidente Dilma Rousseff aux Etats-Unis.

Et là, coup de théâtre: les révélations de la chaîne brésilienne Globo cette semaine, après celles d’août dernier, sont en train de rebattre totalement les cartes. La chaîne, sur la foi de documents transmis par l’ancien sous-traitant de la NSA (National Security Agency) Edward Snowden, a révélé que la NSA avait espionné les communications de Dilma Rousseff elle-même, de ses proches collaborateurs mais aussi de millions de Brésiliens et du fleuron pétrolier national Petrobras.

De quoi déclencher l’ire de la présidente brésilienne, qui conditionne désormais sa visite aux Etats-Unis à la réponse des Etats-Unis sur ces accusations d’espionnage: "Si les faits sont avérés, il est évident que le motif de cet espionnage n’est pas la sécurité nationale ou la lutte contre le terrorisme, mais des intérêts économiques et stratégiques, assure Dilma Rousseff. Ces tentatives de violation et d’espionnage de données et d'informations sont incompatibles avec la cohabitation démocratique entre des pays amis."

Suite de l'article

Sep 10, 2013 (Voice of Russia)

Moscow  - Russia is developing a fifth-generation unmanned fighter jet and a completely new missile defense system which can simultaneously engage several supersonic targets in space, it has been revealed at the MAKS-2013 airshow.

The fifth-generation unmanned aircraft, weighing in at around 20 tons, takes after the T-50 fighter jet, with most of its characteristics modeled after it, Mikhail Pogosyan, president of Russia's united aircraft-building corporation, told RIA Novosti at the MAKS-2013 show in Zhukovsky, just outside Moscow, which displayed the latest in air combat technology.

"We are working in accordance with plans developed together with the Defense Ministry. At this stage this implies further preliminary testing. The current stage is largely based on the technological breakthroughs we have achieved in the framework of the 'fifth generation' program," Pogosyan told the Russian ITAR-TASS agency, in reference to the upcoming drone.

With a fifth-generation PAK-FA heavy attack jet already developed and planned to enter service in 2016, Russian aviation is also looking to the future of air combat, conducting research and development for aircraft that can dominate airspace by the mid-21st century.

The news comes on the heels of a Thursday announcement by the Russian aircraft construction corporation, which signed a $90 billion deal with the Defense Ministry. Under the contract, the ministry will have its technology and equipment built and serviced by Russia's aircraft builders for the next three years, Pogosyan said at the MAKS-2013 show.

National media reports that on top of the new deal, another $3 billion contract has come into effect, stipulating, aside from the servicing of equipment, that the Defense Ministry shall receive 65 new fighter jets by the end of 2013.

Another exciting development in the Russian high-tech weapons market is the possible 2017 launch of the promising S-500 anti-aircraft missile system. The Friday news comes courtesy of a top Ministry of Defense figure, speaking to ITAR-TASS.

"A promising anti-aircraft missile system S-500 is being designed now," the source said. "The Armed Forces may have it in 2017." The special feature of the formidable new lineup is the ability to lock on to and engage multiple targets in space, never allowing them to reach Russian airspace.

Moscow has been making attempting leaps in combat technology - especially missile defense - given the uneasy international climate it finds itself in currently. The plan for a better missile defense is a direct answer to the United States' idea for a missile shield in Europe, which it says is for defensive purposes against unpredictable regimes such as Iran and North Korea. Russia is not feeling very secure with the proposed system to be so close to its territories.

Aside from the pursuit of fifth-generation technologies, Russia is also actively developing an unmanned sixth generation aircraft, said a former Air Force commander. Unlike NATO allies who will use American F-35 5Gs, self-sufficiency is an absolute must for Russia, said the commander, so 6G evolution is inevitable.

With regard to missile defense, Russia is currently using the S-400 Triumph, which has a range of 400 kilometers. Russian President Vladimir Putin says the Armed Forces are to acquire 28 systems from the current lineup over the next 10 years.

Sept. 10, 2013 defense-aerospace.com

(Source: BAE Systems; issued Sept. 10, 2013)

BAE Systems Proposes Air-To-Air Refuelling Variant of BAe 146/Avro RJ

Building on the success of the BAe 146/Avro RJ regional jetliner in a variety of military and special role applications, BAE Systems today unveiled its proposal for a cost-effective air-to-air refuelling (A2R) variant of the aircraft

Speaking at the Defence Services Equipment International (DSEI) exhibition in London, Mark Taylor, Business Director Engineering for BAE Systems Regional Aircraft stated: “We believe that the A2R version of the BAe 146/Avro RJ is a sound business proposition for military planners and air forces that need this capability but who are having to face the financial realities of defence budget cutbacks.

“Whether to provide A2R tactical tanker capability or, in particular, to provide realistic A2R training instead of using expensive existing assets, the acquisition of a fleet of these aircraft can be accomplished at a fraction of the cost of current refuelling aircraft, whilst delivering excellent performance.”

The design of the aircraft with its high wing and T-tail configuration is ideal for A2R operations. BAE Systems Regional Aircraft has already carried out proximity flight trials using a BAe 146-200, Avro RJ85 and Hawk jet trainer. This was successfully completed and confirmed that the aerodynamic environment behind the quad jet is benign and the aircraft therefore has considerable potential as an A2R aircraft for refuelling a range of aircraft types and sizes.

It is considered the BAe 146/Avro RJ might be particularly suitable as a tanker for tilt-rotor aircraft which can experience additional challenges when in the slipstream of some other tanker aircraft.

The business has carried out design concepts for a hose and drogue unit (HDU)-based system and these included the option for additional fuel tanks within the cabin.

The standard tankage on the BAe 146/Avro RJ gives up to approximately 7000 kg of fuel available for transfer – sufficient for A2R training at the lowest capital cost. Additional auxiliary fuel tanks in the cabin would provide up to about 18,000kg of fuel available for transfer, making the aircraft a useful tactical refuelling airtanker.

The wide airspeed range of the aircraft gives flexibility in refuelling the variety of fixed and rotary wing aircraft currently in service. In this role the aircraft can fly up to 300 knots indicated air speed/M.072 at 31,000 ft (BAe 146) or 35,000 ft (Avro RJ).

BAE Systems Regional Aircraft is well equipped to undertake mission system development and provide operational support. The business has most recently designed and delivered two converted BAe 146 C Mk.3 passenger/freighter transports to the RAF. It also is working with QinetiQ for the conversion of an Avro RJ70 for the Empire Test Pilots School, is responsible for the BAe 146 Atmospheric Research Aircraft which involves two/three major scientific role changes each year, and is working with a number of Airtanker (aerial firefighter) operators in North America on multiple aircraft conversions.

There is a plentiful supply of pre-owned BAe 146 and Avro RJs on the market at very low prices of between US$ 1 – 6 million depending on age, configuration and condition with a fleet average flight cycle time of around 30,000 cycles. In addition, there is a Life Extension Programme available for both aircraft types that can increase this to 60,000 cycles, giving the aircraft many years of useful service, especially at the lower utilisation levels typically flown by military and special role operators.

Lead times are short so service availability can be relatively quick and BAE Systems Regional Aircraft estimates that from go ahead it will take some 18 months to produce a basic specification centreline HDU equipped aircraft available for flight trials.

The standard fit on an Avro RJ85 would include auxiliary fuel tanks, a centreline HDU, lights, cameras and control systems on the flight deck and military communications.

Pricing for a completed aircraft will be very competitive. As an example, a late model RJ85 will be around US$ 5 million for a basic aircraft with perhaps £5-10 million of conversion costs depending on final specification. Optional fits on the aircraft could include a dual HDU installation, defensive aids (missile protection, flight deck armour and fuel tank inerting) and unpaved runway operations.

Sept. 11, 2013 by Dave Majumdar – FG

Washington DC - Pilots at the Pentagon's first Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter training unit at Eglin AFB, Florida, are gearing up to start an updated training syllabus that incorporates more of the jet's advanced avionics.

While F-35 students and instructors at the base currently use the rudimentary Block 1B configuration in their aircraft, later this year, the 33rd Fighter Wing will transition to operating the more advanced Block 2A configuration.

"We are going to transition to a Block 2A syllabus here in the late fall and early into next spring as we get the jets upgraded," says US Air Force Col Stephen Jost, commander of the 33rd Operations Group. The upgraded aircraft also means that the base's F-35 simulators and academic course have to be updated to incorporate the new systems.

As such, the F-35 Block 2A transition course will include flying three additional sorties over the current syllabus, which includes six flights. Those additional sorties will focus on using the F-35's Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL), which will enable pilots at the base to conduct more realistic tactical training in the F-35 for both air-to-air and air-to-surface missions.

"That will become operational with the 2A software, and so that is one of the key enablers that allows us to expand our mission set," Jost says.

Jost says that the Block 2A software is also expected to allow the F-35 fleet at Eglin AFB to operate at night. Pilots at the joint USAF, US Navy and Marine Corps operated fighter wing are also hoping for the release of additional flight envelope clearances. "We are hoping to get some relief on the flight controls," Jost says.

The expanded flight envelope - which will be released as test pilots put the three versions of the F-35 through its paces - should allow operational pilots to fly at higher angles of attack and possibly greater g-forces. The flight envelope currently released for training is severely restricted.

Jost could not offer any specific information on exactly how much of the F-35's flight envelope will be cleared for the pilots at the wing to use because such releases are often varied and incremental in nature.

The updated Block 2A syllabus will start clearing the way for the USMC to declare the short take-off and vertical landing(STOVL) F-35B variant of the jet operational in July 2015 with a Block 2B configuration. The USAF will declare the F-35A operational a year later in 2016 with the Block 3i configuration - which is the same software as Block 2B, but hosted on an upgraded computer system.

Décollage de deux avions supersoniques d`entraînement T-50i à Sacheon

2013/09/10 yonhapnews.co.kr

SACHEON, 10 sept. (Yonhap) -- Deux avions supersoniques sud-coréens T-50i ont été exportés vers l’Indonésie par un vol de convoyage pour la première fois, a déclaré ce mardi Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI).

Les deux T-50i, produits par KAI, ont quitté la base aérienne de la région de Sacheon, située dans la province du Gyeongsang du Sud, ce matin à direction de l’Indonésie. Ces deux avions supersoniques voleront environ 1.600 kilomètres pendant deux heures vers leur première destination, Kaohsiung, à Taïwan, et après un ravitaillement, ils se rendront à Cebu, aux Philippines, où ils resteront un jour là-bas.

Le lendemain, les deux avions voleront d'abord vers Sepingan et arriveront à leur dernière destination, Iswahyudi, la principale base de l'armée de l'air indonésienne. Les avions voleront un total de 5.600 kilomètres pendant sept heures. C’est la première fois que la Corée du Sud exporte des avions par un vol de convoyage et non par un navire ou avion de fret.

Avec ces exportations de T-50i, la Corée du Sud est devenue le sixième pays exportateur d’avions supersoniques après les Etats-Unis, la Russie, le Royaume-Uni, la France et la Suède. «Avec ces exportations, KAI vise à atteindre 2.000 milliards de wons (1,841 milliard de dollars) de ventes et à devenir l’une des 15 premières sociétés aérospatiales», a fait savoir Ha Seong-yong, président de KAI.

Sept. 09, 2013 defense-aerospace.com

(Source: Saab Gripen blog; posted Sept. 6, 2013)

RTAF Received Their Last Three Ordered Gripen

Three SAAB Gripen C aircraft ordered by Thailand safely arrived 4 September at their home base Wing 7 in Surat Thani, Thailand. The aircraft were received by happy RTAF pilots and officers.

These were the last of twelve Gripen C/D aircraft Thailand agreed to purchase in a G2G integrated air defense agreement with Sweden signed early 2008. RTAF will inaugurate the operational “Gripen Integrated Air Defense System” on 11 September with a ceremony at Wing 7.

The ferry flight took off from Linköping, Sweden, 30 August, on a route that took them to Greece, Jordan, Qatar, Oman and India before Thailand. They spent a total of 16.5 flight hours before touch down at Wing 7.

September 8, 2013. David Pugliese - Defence Watch

News release from Eurofighter:

Eurofighter Typhoon has now achieved more than 200,000 flying hours since the entry-into-service of its worldwide fleet. Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH confirmed the milestone today adding that, with 719 aircraft on contract, 571 aircraft ordered and 378 aircraft delivered, the programme has “never looked stronger”.

Alberto Gutierrez, Chief Executive Officer of Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH, said: “This impressive milestone underlines the outstanding track-record of the Eurofighter Typhoon. Today, our congratulations go to all the air forces who have achieved this target, to more than 100,000 employees in Europe who are involved in the development manufacturing and supply chain as well as to all the 400 companies who support us on a daily basis with their know-how and competences. This is indeed a proud day for all of them and a landmark day for Europe’s largest defence programme.”

The CEO added: “Every day our aircraft are protecting the skies in Europe, the Middle East and even in the Southern hemisphere. They are on Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Eurofighter Typhoon is combat proven since the Libya operations and is now gaining considerable momentum – indeed the programme has never looked stronger. It has become the backbone of the Air Forces in the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain and Austria. When the chips are down, air chiefs want an aircraft that is versatile, reliable, resilient and cost-effective. Eurofighter Typhoon fulfills all of these requirements and the operational experiences gained during these flying hours have proven it.”

The first 5,000 flying hours were achieved in November 2005. 10,000 hours came in August  2006 and 20,000 in May 2007. By August 2008, the Eurofighter Typhoon fleet had surpassed 50,000 hours and 100,000 flying hours was reached in January 2011.

The global Eurofighter fleet now comprises 20 operating units with locations in Europe, the South Atlantic and the Middle East. Specifically there are: 7 units in the UK (4 in Coningsby, 2 in Leuchars and 1 in Mount Pleasant, Falkland Islands); 5 in Italy (2 in Grosseto, 2 in Gioia del Colle, 1 in Trapani); 3 in Germany (Laage, Neuburg and Nörvenich), as well as 3 in Spain (2 in Morón, 1 in Albacete) and one each in Austria (Zeltweg) and in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – all of them have contributed to the 200,000 flying hour total.

Background information:

Eurofighter Typhoon is the most advanced new generation multi-role/swing-role combat aircraft currently available on the world market. Seven nations (Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Austria, Saudi Arabia and Oman) have already ordered the Eurofighter Typhoon. With 719 aircraft under contract and 571 on order, Eurofighter Typhoon is currently the largest military procurement programme in Europe. Its high technology strengthens the position of European aerospace industry in the international market. The programme secures more than 100,000 jobs in over 400 companies. Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH manages the programme on behalf of the Eurofighter Partner Companies Alenia Aermacchi/Finmeccanica, BAE Systems and Cassidian in Germany and Spain, which are the most important aviation and aerospace companies in Europe with a turnover of about 126 billion euro (2012).

5 septembre 2013 Aerobuzz.fr

L’hélicoptériste AgustaWestland a annoncé tester plusieurs améliorations aérodynamiques sur son convertible civil AW609. Empennage vertical, tuyères des moteurs, cônes d’hélice : l’ensemble des modifications devrait réduire la traînée de 10 % environ. Les concepteurs de l’AW609 comptent sur un allègement simultané. Au Texas et en Italie, les deux prototypes ont accumulé 800 heures de vol depuis le premier vol en 2003. La certification, régulièrement repoussée, est désormais attendue en 2017.

Sept. 5, 2013 by Craig Hoyle – FG

London - Early use of the Royal Air Force's BAE Systems Hawk T2 advanced jet trainer has dramatically boosted the quality of instruction being provided to UK students, programme officials say.

A first course of four ab initio pilots completed their training on the T2 with 4 Sqn at Valley in June 2013, before progressing to the RAF's 29 Sqn operational conversion unit (OCU) for the Eurofighter Typhoon at Coningsby in Lincolnshire.

"I think we've doubled the standard of the students," says Alasdair Shinner, station manager at the Anglesey base for Lockheed Martin/Babcock joint venture Ascent; the Ministry of Defence's training system partner for the Military Flying Training System (MFTS) programme. The T2 has the potential to deliver a "multi-role, combat-ready pilot" to the OCU, he adds, whereas the RAF's analogue cockpit Hawk T1s "weren't giving them relevant training for the aircraft that they were going to be flying".

Several additional courses are now under way, with these including RAF and Royal Navy students and 11 more UK qualified flying instructors (QFI). With only 50% of system capacity currently being used on a 28-aircraft fleet, potential options to increase the volume of training delivered include preparing additional RAF QFIs, increasing the number of instructors sourced from other air forces from a current one each from Australia, Canada and France, or approving Ascent-employed instructors to command some flights, officials say.

"Spare capacity is something that is being looked at, but there is no simple answer," says Gp Capt Simon Blake, from the RAF's 22 Group training organisation. "Lots of other air forces are coming here and seeing that we are filling the [training capability] gap," he notes.

Meanwhile, activities involving the RAF's Hawk T1-equipped 208 Sqn have been extended at Valley, with the service currently providing Phase IV lead-in fighter training for Royal Saudi Air Force pilots. Riyadh will take delivery of its first of 22 T2-equivalent Hawks from BAE in 2015, with Oman also having ordered eight of the new-generation type.

The remainder of the MFTS programme's fixed-wing equipment package should be determined by 2015, with a side-by-side-configuration type to deliver elementary training and a turboprop-powered basic trainer offering "jet-like performance" to be acquired as a replacement for the RAF's current Shorts Tucano T1s. Operations should commence from around 2018, says Ascent training director Simon Falla.

The skin of the second KC-46A boom being loaded into a jig at Boeing's boom assembly centre in Seattle, US. Photo: courtesy of Boeing

5 September 2013 airforce-technology.com

The US Air Force's (USAF) KC-46A aerial refuelling tanker development programme has moved ahead with the start of assembly of the second refuelling boom at Boeing's facility in Seattle, US.

Once assembled, the refuelling boom is scheduled to be mounted on a test aircraft for further validation of its design.

Boeing is currently manufacturing five test booms, of which the first will be utilised for risk-reducing laboratory tests at a System Integration Lab (SIL), also called as SIL 0, in early 2014.

Boeing KC-46 vice-president and programme manager Maureen Dougherty said the KC-46 boom is based on the proven KC-10 tanker's boom, which has performed extremely well in 30 years of its operation.

"Our team is achieving significant milestones as we prepare for flight tests to begin, and we remain focused on delivering this capability on schedule,'' Dougherty said.

Manufactured at KC-46 Boom Assembly Center at Boeing Field in Seattle, the modernised fly-by-wire boom is expected to provide KC-46 tanker with advanced refuelling capabilities, enabling it to refuel any fixed-wing receiver aircraft anytime and on any mission.

Developed from Boeing's 767-200ER, KC-46A is a military aerial refuelling and strategic transport aircraft designed to replace the USAF's ageing KC-135 Stratotankers fleet, which has served as its primary refuelling aircraft for more than 50 years.

Boeing is currently under contract to deliver 18 KC-46 refuelling aircraft by 2017 to the USAF, which is planning to acquire a total of 179 tankers by 2027.

An initial test flight of the fully-equipped KC-46A tanker is planned for early 2015, while delivery will take place in 2016.