B-767NG From The KC-46A

KC-46A concept

Congratulations Boeing for your KC-46A tanker win!

20 more years for the B-767 line and maybe a 1500 aircraft production total.

This win opens new opportunities for the B-767.

On the military side, it can mean

1. more tanker orders from other countries
   
2. platform for an AWACS replacement
   
3. platform for JSTARS replacement
   
4. Other versions
   

Two KC-767A for the Italian Air Force refueling

On the civilian side, as the 767 and the KC-46A will be produced on a single line, the KC-46A may become the default configuration for a new B-767NG. This can have

1. B-787 style avionics
2. Winglets
3. B-787 style cabin
4. Weight reduction
5. Aerodynamic streamlining
6. Possible GEnX reengining
   

Boeing will surely use the KC-46A development process to reinvigorate the B-767 design, and the production process to come out with a more profitable B-767NG to operate.

Rollout of 1,000th B-767 for ANA

This will be a welcome development for a lot of airlines unable to get into slots in the long B-787 line.

New B-767 production line

And for the air freight companies needing new freighters at the B-767 capacity level.

B-767 Freighter configuration

Making the Boeing 767 More Competitive

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Assuming the order demand is there the 767 must have tweaks as is being done with the 737.

Aside from lowering costs and the resulting price, modifications will make it more competitive.

The winglets had been great and other modifications that are possible are:

1. Aerodynamic tweaks

2. Engine inserts

3. Lightening

4. Cockpit and avionics commonalities with 787

5. New 787/737 style cabin

Is a Boeing - Embraer cooperation in a 130 seater 737NG Replacement Possible

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Both Boeing and Embraer have no airliner that can compete effectively with the Bombardier CSeries. And so with Airbus for that matter except for its proposed but bigger A-320NEO.

Airbus is wooing the Chinese effectively with their A-320 production in China, and so is with Bombardier with its sourcing of the CSeries' fuselage from China.

Boeing may do better by cooperating with Embraer in a new 130 seater 737NG Replacement to compete directly with the Bombardier CSeries. Through this, Boeing can leverage the technology, production and market of Brazil and Latin America.

Boeing can even up the ante by the participation of the Indian aerospace industry and getting an edge in the fast growing Indian airliner sector. Boeing have already a wide and very good relationship with the Japanese aerospace industry, and with the Russian aerospace industry in the DreamLifter 747 conversion.

Why a 130 seater?

1. To compete effectively with the Bombardier CSeries and cover the area where Airbus is weak. 

2. Embraer has no exact model in this capacity.

3. Take advantage of the DC-9/MD-80 replacement cycle.

4. Keep open the option of re-engining the larger 737-800/900 series to cover the 757 replacement cycle.

5. As a B-717 replacement.

Just remember the B-737  started off as a 130 seater in the 1960's and it has grown effectively to a 200 seater and more airliner.

To do this cooperation, Boeing has to effectively woo Embraer as it has had closer historical relationships with the Europeans.