The testing and certification activity of the US NAVY aircraft was carried out at the Patuxent River NAS (MD) base at the disposal of the Air Force Staff - 3rd Department (SMA), the Experimental Flight Department (RSV) supported the activities of test and authorization for the operations of Air to Air Refueling (AAR) of USN aircraft.
In particular, on Friday 19 August, a staff cell of the RSV and the 14 ° Stormo took off from the M. De Bernardi airport in Pratica di Mare (Rome) for the flight aboard the tanker aircraft to Patuxent River, Maryland. (USA), home of the American homologous test center, VX-23, VX 31, and of the 14th Gruppo Volo of the Italian Navy.
In the United States, during flight test activities, the RSV conducted testing activities to collect the data necessary to authorize the F / A-18 (Hornet and Super Hornet), AV-8B and EA-6B aircraft refueling from the Boeing KC-767A aircraft. The activity lasted about ten weeks, of which 6 dedicated to flight tests.
Thanks to this teamwork of international character and cooperation between the Experimental Flight Department and the US Navy, it will be possible to strengthen interoperability between Italian and US assets in in-flight refueling operations.
A little over a year ago, in California, the Italian Air Force Experimental Department with the KC-767A conducted the first certification in the world of a USAF tanker with stereoscopic vision system (remote vision system - RVS). In addition, in the same period, Italy certified the KC767A as the first tanker from a country other than the United States as a supplier for a fifth generation fighter, the F35.
The KC-767A are currently used under the command of Air Kuwait Task Force as part of the "Prima Parthica" national operation as an Italian contribution to the fight against Daesh, together with other national structures, as part of the multinational operation Inherent Resolve.
The KC767 aircraft of the Italian Air Force are a prized NATO asset and are fundamental in the European Defense security framework. They are, in fact, inserted, with pre-established plans, into the European EATC system (European Air Transport Command).
The KC-767A is derived from the Boeing 767-200 "Extended Range" commercial aircraft. The KC-767 Tanker / Transport guarantees high flight and load autonomy combined with in-flight refueling capacity, such as "receiver" or "tanker". The KC-767A can supply using the "boom" system or the wing and central pods with tubes and baskets. The refueling systems are compatible with Italian and Allied aircraft and the KC-767A is able to be refueled so as to extend its range of action. Capacity of the refueling system in flight: "boom" refueling system with rigid rod with flushing capacity up to 4.091 liters per minute; central point with tube and basket with capacity up to 2.727 liters per minute; wing-end points with tubes and baskets with capacity up to 1.818 liters per minute; universal receptacle with boarding capacity up to 4.091 liters per minute. The aircraft can be set up in three different configurations (COMBI, CARGO and FULL PAX), with a payload up to 25.000 kg. In the cargo configuration 19 standard NATO military pallets can be loaded. In the passenger configuration passengers can be loaded up to 200 with their luggage. In the combi configuration, standard NATO military pallets can be loaded up to 100 passengers and 10.
