Boeing 767-2C

Boeing 767-2C. The Boeing 767-2C is a cargo aircraft variant developed by Boeing as a freighter version of its Boeing 767 twinjet. It serves as the commercial baseline for the United States Air Force's Boeing KC-46 Pegasus aerial refueling tanker. Primarily operated by cargo carriers like FedEx Express, the aircraft combines the proven airframe of the Boeing 767-200ER with a strengthened floor and a large main deck cargo door.

Development and design

The development of the 767-2C was intrinsically linked to Boeing's bid for the United States Air Force's KC-X tanker competition. To meet the requirements of the KC-46 Pegasus program, Boeing created this freighter variant, which omitted the military-specific systems like the boom operator station and fueling pods for later installation. The design is based on the Boeing 767-200ER airframe but incorporates a strengthened fuselage structure and floor to handle palletized cargo loads. Key features include a large side cargo door, a glass cockpit derived from the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, and Pratt & Whitney PW4000 series engines. The Federal Aviation Administration awarded the model its type certificate in 2015, with the first delivery to a launch customer occurring in 2018.

Operational history

The operational history of the 767-2C began with its first flight from Boeing Field on 29 December 2014. Following certification, the first delivery was made to FedEx Express in 2018, which placed a substantial order to modernize its fleet. These aircraft entered service on key logistics routes across North America, Asia, and Europe. Concurrently, the United States Air Force began accepting its KC-46 Pegasus tankers, which are converted from 767-2C airframes at Boeing's facility in Everett, Washington. The type has seen steady production to fulfill both commercial and military contracts, with the COVID-19 pandemic highlighting its value in global air cargo networks. Notable incidents have been minimal, underscoring the model's reliability derived from the mature Boeing 767 platform.

Variants

The primary variant is the standard 767-2C freighter designed for commercial operators. The most significant derivative is the Boeing KC-46 Pegasus, a multi-role tanker and transport aircraft for the United States Air Force, which adds aerial refueling booms, hose and drogue systems, and defensive aids. Boeing has also proposed a Boeing 767-2C BCF (Boeing Converted Freighter) program for passenger-to-freighter conversions of older Boeing 767-200 aircraft, though this is separate from the factory-built 767-2C. Discussions for a potential Boeing 767-2C MMTT (Multi-Mission Tanker Transport) for other national air forces, like the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, have also been reported.

Specifications (767-2C)

General characteristics are derived from its Boeing 767-200ER lineage. It is typically powered by two Pratt & Whitney PW4062 engines, each providing 62,000 lbf of thrust. The aircraft has a length of 48.5 meters, a wingspan of 47.6 meters, and a height of 15.8 meters. Its maximum takeoff weight is approximately 186,880 kilograms. Performance includes a range of about 5,600 nautical miles with a typical payload, and a cruise speed of Mach 0.80. The cargo hold can accommodate up to twenty-six standard LD3 containers or pallets on the lower deck, with the main deck configured for bulk cargo.

Operators

The largest commercial operator is FedEx Express, which integrates the aircraft into its global express mail network. Other cargo airlines, such as UPS Airlines and Amazon Air, have also placed orders for the type. The primary military operator is the United States Air Force, which receives the aircraft as the KC-46 Pegasus through the Air Mobility Command. The Japan Air Self-Defense Force has ordered the KC-46, and future operators may include other NATO allies or partners participating in the Foreign Military Sales program. Boeing itself retains ownership of several airframes used for testing and conversion work at its facilities in Washington (state) and North Charleston.

Category:Boeing aircraft Category:Cargo aircraft Category:United States military transport aircraft 2010–2019