SEATTLE—Boeing [BA] for the first time successfully carried out a test of the next generation of Air Force tankers’ mission control system, the company’s lead engineer for the system said last week.
Boeing executed the test for the KC-46A aerial refueller of the mission control system’s hardware and software by demonstrating Wednesday night that it accurately communicated data to the flight control displays, Amy Berner, the team leader for integrating and testing, told reporters.
The test occurred during a 90-minute simulated flight of a KC-46A, she said.
“We were able to do it through all phases of the flight,” Berner said.
Boeing is scheduled to deliver the first 18 tankers to the Air Force by 2017. The service plans to buy 179 of the tankers through 2027 to replace its aging fleet of KC-135s.
Boeing won the contract over rival European Aeronautic Defense and Space (EADS) in February 2011.