The Northrop Grumman-EADS North America team confirmed that its KC-X entrant, the KC-30, had taken its first flight Sept. 25. Company officials at AFA’s Air & Space Conference said aircraft D-1 flew for nearly four hours. The KC-30 is in hot competition with Boeing’s 767 for the Air Force’s KC-X tanker replacement program.
Officials at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla., said the range is “fully mission capable” to support launches following a major May 28 mishap involving Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket.