767 MMTT Bedek

Israel Aerospace Industries' (IAI) aircraft conversion specialist Bedek has unveiled plans to launch a new tanker-transport for the global market based on used [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien]-200s.

Bedek had launched the 767 multi-mission tanker transport (MMTT) programme even before the Israeli
government announced plans in November to acquire such an aircraft, an IAI executive says at the Singapore Airshow.

The Israeli order remains under discussion as the prime minister's office and the Israeli Air Force negotiate a combined funding effort. Israel plans to operate the aircraft primarily as a VIP transport for senior government officials, but it
could also serve a military role as tanker and cargo aircraft.

Bedek's design, therefore, emphasizes a modular approach, allowing the aircraft to convert swiftly from tanker mode to cargo mode to passenger mode, the executive says.

In the tanker role, the aircraft will be designed to offload 45,300kg (100,000lb) at ranges up to 1,000nmi.

In cargo mode, the aircraft would be configured to carry 34,000kg as far as 3,000nmi, according IAI's marketing documents.

The MMTT also could support a load of 220 passengers, plus serve in other missions, including
medical evacuation.

IAI's concept includes providing its internally designed fly-by-wire refuelling boom and drogue pods, the IAI executive says.

Bedek has converted several aircraft previously into tankers, ranging from [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] 707s, [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] C-130s and Ilyushin Il-76s.

Bedek is focusing the world market for used 767s to make the conversions.

"Buying a new one we believe is a waste of money," the IAI executive says.


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Israel Aerospace Industries' [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] unit has conducted a successful series of flight trials involving a modified [url=http://www.flightglobal.com/landingpage/boeing 767.html]Boeing 767[/url] tanker for Colombia, and says a lucrative market exists for additional customers.
The secondhand 767-200ER has been converted to a new multi-mission tanker/transport (MMTT) configuration for the Colombian air force, with the work having included the installation of ARP3 wing air refuelling pods developed and manufactured by IAI.

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Conducted in Israel, the recent trials were aimed at expanding the in-flight refuelling envelope of the 767. This included transferring fuel to an upgraded IAI Kfir C10 fighter awaiting delivery to Colombia under a 2007 contract worth more than $150 million.

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The 767's new refuelling equipment performed "flawlessly", say company test pilots, while contact by the fighter is described as easy, with a "stable hook-up".
"The performance and overall stability of the aircraft and the drogues displayed impressive results," says IAI's chief test pilot Ronen Shapira, who also flew behind the modified airliner in a Gulfstream G250 business jet.
Capable of carrying a maximum fuel load of 72,500-90,700kg (160,000-200,000lb), one adapted 767 could support 13 Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters on a mission with a range of 1,000nm (1,850km), Bedek says.
The company sees an opportunity to convert a "meaningful number" of additional 767s for the MMTT mission, which could also include cargo and VIP transport tasks. "This is one of our growth engines in the coming years, with potential sales of $100 million a year," says general manager Eliezer Hattem.

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The 767's new refuelling equipment performed "flawlessly", say company test pilots, while contact by the fighter is described as easy, with a "stable hook-up".
"The performance and overall stability of the aircraft and the drogues displayed impressive results," says IAI's chief test pilot Ronen Shapira, who also flew behind the modified airliner in a Gulfstream G250 business jet.
Capable of carrying a maximum fuel load of 72,500-90,700kg (160,000-200,000lb), one adapted 767 could support 13 Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters on a mission with a range of 1,000nm (1,850km), Bedek says.
The company sees an opportunity to convert a "meaningful number" of additional 767s for the MMTT mission, which could also include cargo and VIP transport tasks. "This is one of our growth engines in the coming years, with potential sales of $100 million a year," says general manager Eliezer Hattem.

Boeing delivers Italy’s first tankers

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In news just announced via [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], Italy is to get its first two Boeing 767 tankers this year. The remaining two will be modified and be delivered later – no date has been announced.
This delivery comes some five years late. The announcement of this news comes at an important time for Boeing. The company is going to have a tough battle with EADS for the USAF tanker contest. EADS has not had an easy run with its own tanker – its delivery to the RAAF is also running late.
The fight for the USAF tanker competition was tough to start with and has only gotten rougher – with more to come. For Boeing’s tanker team it is great that they are getting ready to deliver the Italian tankers. It means problems have been solved and provides more confidence in the next generation tanker they want to build.
But there is an aspect to tanker story that has not gotten much attention. Boeing’s tanker team to date has likely been relatively small. After all, four tankers over the last few years surely was a low volume and low importance program. The 787 and 747 programs are the places the the best talent was going to go. Besides, Boeing has been going through regular cost cutting. So the slow progress on its current tankers is understandable.
However, on the horizon, ever so quietly is [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] which has gotten little notice. The Israeli program is rather like the Airbus business model – theirs is a business whose primary aim includes “soft” things like stable jobs and building skills. Consequently they started off developing a small 767 modification program to turn airliners to freighters. Israel is focused on small projects because that is all they need to stay busy. Obviously they are happy to sell these freighters, but there is another customer IAI always watches out for, the IAF.
Astute analysts saw this 767 freighter program as the same move IAI had undertaken previously with the 707. Some El Al 707s retired from the airline and ended up being converted to tankers for the IAF. El Al has a few 767-200s that are likely to be replaced by 787s. And where do you think those 767s might end up?
Today you can source decent second hand 767-200s for ~$10m. Then gut the plane, then fix and update what needs to done for a low cycle operator. Israel can offer its basic 767 tanker at the fraction of what Boeing offers.
Colombia is a great example – they are an IAI customer for Kfir fighters. So a deal for a tanker was a “natural”. Estimates are the Colombians got their tanker for ~$70m. It is essentially a 767 freighter with tanker capabilities. None of the fancy electronic kit the Boeing and EADS tankers come with.
This is no small market – how many air forces need sophisticated multi-role tankers? There is a market for a simple and cost effective solution to replace 707 tankers. The volume programs come with horrible politics. Sure the KC-X is a high profile $40bn program – but look at the aggravation.
How much business can the Israeli’s win? The chart below from G2 Solution’s provides a guide. They have a [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] available for those who need the full story.

[Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien]

In news just announced via [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], Italy is to get its first two Boeing 767 tankers this year. The remaining two will be modified and be delivered later – no date has been announced.
This delivery comes some five years late. The announcement of this news comes at an important time for Boeing. The company is going to have a tough battle with EADS for the USAF tanker contest. EADS has not had an easy run with its own tanker – its delivery to the RAAF is also running late.
The fight for the USAF tanker competition was tough to start with and has only gotten rougher – with more to come. For Boeing’s tanker team it is great that they are getting ready to deliver the Italian tankers. It means problems have been solved and provides more confidence in the next generation tanker they want to build.
But there is an aspect to tanker story that has not gotten much attention. Boeing’s tanker team to date has likely been relatively small. After all, four tankers over the last few years surely was a low volume and low importance program. The 787 and 747 programs are the places the the best talent was going to go. Besides, Boeing has been going through regular cost cutting. So the slow progress on its current tankers is understandable.
However, on the horizon, ever so quietly is [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] which has gotten little notice. The Israeli program is rather like the Airbus business model – theirs is a business whose primary aim includes “soft” things like stable jobs and building skills. Consequently they started off developing a small 767 modification program to turn airliners to freighters. Israel is focused on small projects because that is all they need to stay busy. Obviously they are happy to sell these freighters, but there is another customer IAI always watches out for, the IAF.
Astute analysts saw this 767 freighter program as the same move IAI had undertaken previously with the 707. Some El Al 707s retired from the airline and ended up being converted to tankers for the IAF. El Al has a few 767-200s that are likely to be replaced by 787s. And where do you think those 767s might end up?
Today you can source decent second hand 767-200s for ~$10m. Then gut the plane, then fix and update what needs to done for a low cycle operator. Israel can offer its basic 767 tanker at the fraction of what Boeing offers.
Colombia is a great example – they are an IAI customer for Kfir fighters. So a deal for a tanker was a “natural”. Estimates are the Colombians got their tanker for ~$70m. It is essentially a 767 freighter with tanker capabilities. None of the fancy electronic kit the Boeing and EADS tankers come with.
This is no small market – how many air forces need sophisticated multi-role tankers? There is a market for a simple and cost effective solution to replace 707 tankers. The volume programs come with horrible politics. Sure the KC-X is a high profile $40bn program – but look at the aggravation.
How much business can the Israeli’s win? The chart below from G2 Solution’s provides a guide. They have a [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] available for those who need the full story.