Press Release: KC-7A7

Boeing invented boom refueling 60 years ago, and has since built and delivered more than 2,000 of the best aerial refueling tankers in the world, setting the global standard for tanker refueling and continuing to push the leading edge of refueling technology.

So when the United States put out the request for a new tanker, Boeing gathered all of its tanker know-how into one place: the new KC-7A7 tanker.

The KC-7A7 design represents the pinnacle of Boeing’s eight decades of tanker experience:

• A state-of-the-art fly-by-wire refueling boom that reduces maintenance requirements and utilizes unique new safety features
• Advanced avionics that improve situational awareness, reduce pilot workload and guarantee access to world-wide airspace, making it the most versatile tanker in history
• Superior countermeasures designed to defeat enemy threats, which make it the most survivable tanker in history
• Cargo and passenger space unprecedented in a fielded tanker makes the KC-7A7 a game-changer for mobility operations.

So what does the “A” stand for? The “A” signifies the superior capabilities Boeing offers on any one of multiple airframes built every day for its global customers.

Here at Boeing, we also like to say that the “A” stands for:

• Advanced – our next tanker will have the most modern equipment and design features that our nation’s warfighters need today
• Agility – a tanker that can operate around the world in any airspace, in harm's way, while refueling any receiver, anytime, anywhere
• Ability – Boeing’s experience at building and modifying tankers – more than 2,000 of them
• Available – Boeing is delivering 21st century tankers now and they are in operational service today
• Awesome – Boeing’s new tanker will be incredibly capable, the culmination of decades of experience and innovation.

In fact, it’s all these things – that’s why we’re confident the KC-7A7 will soon be the next United States Tanker.