Arlington, Virginia,
September
25, 2007
The first KC-30 Tanker aircraft completed its maiden flight on September 25, underscoring the production strategy selected by Northrop Grumman Corporation's KC-30 industry team for the U.S. Air Force's KC-135 tanker replacement program.
Aircraft "D-1" flew for nearly four hours and will be the first aircraft delivered to the U.S. Air Force if the Northrop Grumman-led team is awarded the KC-X contract. Contract award is currently expected in December 2007 or early January 2008.
The KC-30 Tanker's commercial airframe, the A330, is a highly successful market leader in its class. The A330’s active, flexible and high-volume commercial production line is supported by a fully operational industrial supply chain that includes leading U.S.-based suppliers. More than 1,281 A330s have been delivered and ordered to date, serving 87 operators worldwide. Current orders for the commercial A330 exceed 300 aircraft, with this number expected to grow considerably.
The A330 is also highly successful in the world's military tanker market, having won the last three international tanker competitions head-to-head against the KC-767. Australia, United Kingdom and United Arab Emirates have all selected the A330 platform to serve as their next-generation tanker.
"The maiden flight of aircraft number one is tangible evidence of the strength of the KC-30 Tanker team, our ability to deliver a quality system to our customer on schedule and the reality of the Northrop Grumman KC-30 team's low risk approach," said John H. Young, Jr., CEO of EADS North America Tankers.
After its flight tests, the first KC-30 Tanker will be ready to be outfitted for the aerial refueling role. This is the same configuration selected by the Royal Australian Air Force, whose first KC-30B Tanker is complete and being prepared for delivery.
The KC-30 Tanker aircraft will be assembled in Mobile, Ala., and the KC-30 team will employ 25,000 American workers at 230 U.S. companies. It will be built by a world-class industrial team that includes EADS North America, General Electric Aviation and Sargent Fletcher.
