KC-46 tanker has first flight

EVERETT, Wash. -- Boeing and the Air Force successfully completed the first flight of the KC-46 tanker test program Sunday. The Boeing 767-2C took off from Paine Field, Wash., and landed three hours and 32 minutes later at Boeing Field. The aircraft will receive its military systems following certification. Boeing is on contract to deliver the first 18 of 179 KC-46 aircraft to the Air Force by 2017. (Source: Boeing, 12/28/14) Gulf Coast note: Boeing won the tanker contract over Airbus Group, then called EADS, which planned to build the tanker in Mobile, Ala. Airbus later opted to build A320 family jetliners in Mobile. The assembly line will open in 2015.