http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030715/dctu079_1.htmlThe US Air Force has decided to use 767's as its replacements for the aging KC-135 Stratotanker. Its designation in the USAF, will be KC-767. The KC-135 fleet has been plauged with maintanance problems, and usually 1/5th of the fleet is down do to corrosion problems at any one time. Currently most if not all of the KC-135 tankers are older than the pilots that fly them. The new KC-767's will carry 20% more fuel, cargo, and passenger capability. Congress is extremely happy with the idea. It will save 5.5 billion, with a B, savings in maintanance costs of the current fleet.

This, in itself, is far less interesting than the fact that the US Air Force is leasing the aircraft. It's the first time that the USAF has done this with a front line aircraft. Times are definitely tough in the commercial aircraft business. Colin