Boeing Clinches Another $2.4B KC-46A Tanker Aircraft Deal With US Air Force
Boeing has announced that it has secured a $2.4-billion contract to supply the US Air Force with 15 additional KC-46A Pegasus aerial refueling aircraft.
The deal adds to the $4.6 billion awarded in February and November 2023 for 30 KC-46A tankers.
According to the company, the new contract highlights the “unparalleled capabilities” of the aerial refueler, which has already surpassed 100,000 flight hours worldwide.
“We appreciate our continued partnership with the US Air Force,” Boeing’s KC-46 program manager Lynn Fox noted. “This is another big milestone for our team, and we look forward to delivering the world’s most advanced multi-mission aerial refuelers for years to come.”
Since 2019, Boeing has delivered a total of 89 KC-46As to the US Air Force.
‘168 Aircraft on Contract Globally’
Based on Boeing’s 767 business jet, the KC-46A is recognized as the world’s most advanced multi-mission aerial refueling aircraft.
It can carry up to 96,000 kilograms (211,643 pounds) of fuel, enough to refuel multiple fighter jets and other fixed-wing aircraft.
The Pegasus uses a refueling boom driven by a fly-by-wire control system to transfer fuel to another aircraft mid-air, extending operational range and enhancing mission flexibility.
Boeing reports that there are now 168 KC-46A aircraft under contract globally, reinforcing its status as one of the most trusted and in-demand aerial refuelers.
“Unlike many existing tankers, the KC-46A can also receive fuel, which significantly extends the range and flexibility of global mobility and power projection maneuvers,” Boeing stated on its website.
Challenges
Despite its considerable prestige, the KC-46A has been plagued by several “category one” issues, including stiffness in the refueling boom and problems with the aircraft’s remote vision system.
In military aviation, “category one” deficiencies are considered critical, as they may pose a risk of death or serious injury.
Earlier this year, the US Air Force identified another major issue with the Pegasus involving its fuel pump, which produces unnecessary vibrations that damage the aircraft’s bleed air ducts.
