Fokker Services successfully completes (K)DC-10 cockpit upgrade program for RNLAF

Fokker Services successfully completed the (K)DC-10 Cockpit Upgrade Program (“CUP”) for the Royal Netherlands Air Force (“RNLAF”), a key milestone as this is the second upgraded aerial refueling tanker to come into operation. In 2005 Fokker Services signed the agreement with the Defense Materiel Organization (“DMO”) who managed the modification of the DC-10 (transport aircraft) and two (K)DC-10’s (aerial refueling tanker) for the RNLAF. Fokker Services partnered with Boeing for the design to enhance the (K)DC-10’s to meet the current and future requirements of the civil aviation regulations to operate and access global air space and meet demanding current and future military mission requirements. The first aircraft (DC-10) was re-delivered on April 2011 after completion of a development phase by Fokker and Boeing to integrate next generation technology (avionics) which meet the RNLAF system requirements. As the design for the two tanker aircrafts contained minor variances compared to the DC-10, the modification was accelerated resulted in re-delivery of the remaining two aircraft within 18 months.