"Kevin Brooks" wrote in message
...

"David Lednicer" wrote in message
...
Here is an interesting question: the USAF KC-767 deal was supposed to
keep
the 767 line open, but this deal is dormant. If the USAF doesn't act
soon,
they won't be able to buy 767s as the line closes real soon. With this
in
mind; how are they going to buy E-10s (767-400ERs) if the line is
closed?

From what I have read, the E-10 concept is not completely locked into the
767 platform--the first operational test and eval aircraft will be a 767
platform, but no firm decision regarding later procurement has been made.
If
Boeing wants to continue to pursue the 767 tanker option, it has the
ability
to temporarily kill the line and restart it later, as long as they keep
the
tooling and jigs--there has also already been mention made of possible 7E7
use in the E-10 role, and more remotely as a future tanker platform.

There are still 24 767s in the announced backlog which keeps the line open
until at least the end of 2006 though I would guess some parts of the supply
chain would shutdown sooner. I have never heard of any plans to mothball any
line at Boeing and don't really see how it could be done.

And of course the last 757 is in final assembly now.


Brooks