Italian Air Force solidifies KC-767A tanker readiness with Boeing PBL agreement.

Boeing will continue providing Performance-based Logistics (PBL) support to the Italian air force (ItAF) fleet of KC-767A tankers through July 2021 per an extended contract agreement for two additional years announced at last week's Paris Air Show.

KC-767A tanker aircraft (Picture Source: Boeing)

Through the partnership with Boeing, the ItAF can rely on outstanding aircraft availability, which has been instrumental to the success of missions. The ItAF aims at having continued mission readiness and success through the extended PBL agreement.

The KC-767A has been the first international tanker to be certified for aerial refuelling of fifth-generation aircraft. The ItAF utilized a Boeing built and maintained KC-767A tanker on June 13 and 14, 2019 to successfully ferry by refuelling an Italian built F-35B fighter en route from Italy to Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort in Beaufort, South Carolina.

Italian Air Force KC-767A aircraft are equipped with two wing aerial refuelling pods, a centerline hose drum unit, a refuelling boom and universal aerial slipway installations for boom refuelling. The Italian Air Force optimizes the KC-767A fleet by utilizing the tanker’s multirole capability through all-passenger, all-cargo and combi configurations.