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Boeing builds the KC-46A Pegasus tanker in Everett, Wash. The KC-46A can refuel all U.S., allied and coalition military aircraft. Boeing designed the KC-46 to carry passengers, cargo and patients. Boeing Photo
The U.S. Air Force awarded Boeing $2.8 billion on Aug. 18 for KC-46A tanker low-rate initial production.
The award includes the first two “production lots” of seven and 12 planes respectively, as well as spare parts. Including future options, Boeing plans to build a total of 179 of the 767-based refueling aircraft for the air force to replace their KC-135 fleet.
“The KC-46 tanker will provide the air force unprecedented refueling capabilities, operational flexibility and combat readiness,” said Leanne Caret, Boeing Defense, Space & Security president and CEO. “It’s an important day for the company and program. We’re excited about building low-rate initial production aircraft, and it’s only possible because of the hard work of the joint Boeing-Air Force team.”
This step forward follows a defense acquisition board review and announcement that the KC-46 program completed “Milestone C”—a set of required ground- and flight-test tests—and is approved for initial production. Those tests included refueling flights with General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon, McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet, McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II, McDonnell Douglas KC-10 Extender, Boeing C-17 Globemaster III, and Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft and a cargo handling demo.
Boeing received an initial contract in 2011 to design and develop the U.S. Air Force’s next-generation tanker aircraft. As part of that contract Boeing built four test aircraft—two configured as 767-2Cs and two as KC-46A tankers. The test aircraft have completed more than 1,000 flight hours to date.
The KC-46A is a multirole tanker that can refuel all allied and coalition military aircraft compatible with international aerial refueling procedures and can carry passengers, cargo and patients.
Boeing is assembling KC-46 aircraft at its Everett, Wash., facility. The company will begin delivering tankers to the Air Force in 2017.
