Smiths Aerospace And Boeing Are Successful In Refueling Hose Deployment For KC-767 Italian Tanker

Corona, CA - Smiths Aerospace, part of the global technology business Smiths Group and aerial refueling systems supplier to The Boeing Company for the KC-767A aircraft, has successfully demonstrated its hose and drogue refueling equipment during recent flight testing. The February 10 test flight over Kansas demonstrated for the first time the deployment, stable flight and retraction of the refueling hose and drogue from a digitally controlled, reliable fuselage mounted Hose Drum Unit. Boeing's fifth-generation KC-767 Tanker is undergoing extensive flight testing in advance of a 2007 delivery to the Italian Air Force, according to the compsany.

"Smiths Aerospace's advanced control law algorithms and digital controllers bring unprecedented hose deployment stability to aerial refueling equipment for the first time," said David Bina, vice president of Tanker Programs at Smiths Aerospace. "Smiths breadth of mechanical and digital system-level experience makes it uniquely capable to integrate advanced technologies in hose and drogue refueling equipment."

The inclusion of the centerline hose drum unit and the wing aerial refueling pods on the KC-767A provides for three-point hose and drogue refueling of probe equipped receiver aircraft. A complete system solution inclusive of the pylon, aircraft structures and internal hose drum electrical, hydraulic, and fuel subsystems is integrated to provide highly reliable and easily maintained hose and drogue refueling systems.

"Trailing the centerline Hose Drum Unit is another significant milestone in meeting our commitments to our Italian customer and it demonstrates the advanced technology Boeing will bring forward for the U.S. Air Force's KC-X Tanker competition," said Mark McGraw, Boeing vice president for Tanker Programs.

Smiths Aerospace also provides the aerial refueling boom control actuation system, which began flight testing in September 2006 as part of an exhaustive series of air-refueling tests. Boeing will deliver the KC-767A to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force in 2007. The KC-767 Tanker has logged more than 220 flights and 660 hours during its flight test program. In addition to flight-testing the KC-767 for international customers, Boeing is competing for a contract to build the U.S. Air Force's next-generation tanker aircraft.

SOURCE: Smiths Group and The Boeing Company