The U.S. Air Force expects the KC-X tanker, which would replace the KC-135, shown above, to make its first flight by 2012. (STAFF SGT. ROBERT BARNEY / U.S. AIR FORCE)USAF Sets KC-X First Flight, IOC Dates -- Defense News
The U.S. Air Force expects a first flight for its KC-X tanker by 2012 and hopes to have the plane flying refueling missions by 2017, service officials said Feb. 25.
If all goes well with the latest restart of the $35 billion competition, the service expects to buy four test airplanes that will be used for test flights and later be modified into production aircraft, according to a service announcement.
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