ST. LOUIS, July 28, 2009 — Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced it has submitted a proposal to the U.S. Air Force to upgrade the cockpits of the service’s fleet of 59 KC-10 Extender tanker/transport aircraft. The proposal covers engineering and manufacturing development, production and installation of the KC-10 Communications, Navigation, Surveillance and Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) modification.

CNS/ATM uses a systems approach to improve pilot awareness, streamline tasks, and otherwise enhance safety in a high-technology environment.

“This upgrade will allow the fleet to retain worldwide access to airspace in compliance with Global Air Traffic Management requirements,” said Boeing KC-10 Program Director Mike Wright. “Boeing believes it has a strong proposal, given the success of the company’s (K) DC-10 Cockpit Upgrade Program (CUP) for the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF). The CUP modification offers an affordable, proven solution for other aircraft, including the KC-10.”

Boeing works with the RNLAF and partner Fokker Services on CUP, which includes a new flight-management system, display system and improved communications — all components of the CNS/ATM configuration. Boeing and Fokker Services are performing the modification on two (K) DC-10 air refueling tankers and one DC-10 transport at a Fokker Services facility in the Netherlands, where the program’s ground testing certification is two thirds complete. Flight-test certification and delivery of the first aircraft are scheduled to take place this fall.