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[edit] KC-767
The article includes the KC-767 as an example of "Non-systematic or Aberrant designations", but the 767 tanker isn't a US military aircraft yet. "KC-767" is just a marketing name within Boeing, although the Japanese and Italian may call their version of the 767 tank by that name. If the Boeing proposal wins the KC-X program, I would think it would be assigned a normal 2 digit number. Interestingly enough, if the EADS/Airbus and Northrop Grumman proposal is accepted, its marketing name, KC-30, would be a "normal" number as the C-30 designation is not assigned, but a higher number C-32, has already been assigned. --rogerd 22:17, 22 February 2007 (UTC)
- The designation KC-767A was officially assigned by the U.S. DOD in 2002, when the now defunct leasing plan for Boeing 767 tankers was still in effect. "KC-767A" is listed in the DOD's official publication of approved aerospace vehicle designations, see http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/412015l_0504/p412015l.pdf . For a bit of background information on this allocation, see http://www.designation-systems.net/usmilav/nonstandard-mds.html#_MDS_KC767 . If the 767 wins the current competition, the USAF may or may not keep the KC-767A designator. If a new number is assigned, it's anyone's guess which one it will be, because C-series assignments have been a bit erratic lately (2-digit numbers up to C-41, then continued with C-143 and -144).Andreas Parsch 12:42, 23 February 2007 (UTC)
- Thanks for setting me straight. Based on this, it appears that the KC-767 name may indeed be what is used of Boeing wins the competition. I hope that Boeing wins, but it will be sad if the marketing people win out and that aberrant name is used. --rogerd 13:53, 23 February 2007 (UTC)
