Boeing Receives First Production Remote Aerial Refueling Operator Station for KC-767 Tanker

ST. LOUIS, Aug. 23, 2006 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] recently received its first production Remote Aerial Refueling Operator (RARO) II station for the KC-767 Tanker from DRS Laurel Technologies of Johnstown, Pa., a unit of DRS Technologies, Inc. [NYSE: DRS].

RARO II is a mission management and planning console positioned behind the KC-767 cockpit, where aircrews can control boom and drogue aerial-refueling operations through a remote-vision system. Using a series of cameras flush-mounted on the aircraft’s fuselage, the boom operator will have controls and displays for the operation of the boom, wing pods, hose drum unit and exterior aerial refueling lighting.

“The RARO II remote-vision system will increase tanker aircrew mission capability and safety,” said Mark McGraw, Boeing vice president for Tanker Programs. “RARO II also improves communication between the aircrew and uses advanced video digital processing to provide superior definition during night and adverse weather conditions.”

Boeing will receive additional RARO II systems from DRS Laurel Technologies for the advanced KC-767 tankers being built and flight tested today for Italy and Japan. The delivery ceremony for Japan’s first KC-767 is scheduled for February 2007. The first Italian KC-767 is scheduled for delivery in mid-2007.

Boeing developed and installed its first remote aerial refueling operator station (RARO I) on two Royal Netherlands Air Force KDC-10 tankers, which have been operational since 1996. The third generation remote-vision system (RARO III), which will incorporate the key technologies of previous stations, is being developed to meet unique U.S. Air Force requirements.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world’s largest space and defense businesses. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $30.8 billion business. It provides network-centric system solutions to its global military, government and commercial customers. It is a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems; the world’s largest military aircraft manufacturer; the world’s largest satellite manufacturer; a foremost developer of advanced concepts and technologies; a leading provider of space-based communications; the primary systems integrator for U.S. missile defense; NASA’s largest contractor; and a global leader in sustainment solutions and launch services.

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Bill Barksdale

Boeing Tanker Communications

The Boeing Company

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