(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 pink ugg boots 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 ugg boots 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 ugg boots uk first aircraft are scheduled to take place this fall.