The U.S. Air Force awarded Boeing a $2.4 billion contract on Thursday, October 19, 2023, for the acquisition of 15 more KC-46A Pegasus refueling tankers. This award pertains to the 11th lot of KC-46 tankers, increasing Boeing’s total on contract to 168 worldwide.
Since 2019, Boeing has successfully delivered 89 KC-46s to the U.S. Air Force and four to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. Additionally, Israel is in the process of purchasing four KC-46s, with deliveries expected to commence in 2025. The completion of work on these 15 KC-46s, manufactured at Boeing’s factory in Everett, Washington, is projected by the end of June 2028.
The Air Force plans to procure 179 KC-46s across 13 lots, with potential for further acquisitions as it phases out the earlier KC-135 tankers. The KC-46 is becoming increasingly pivotal in the Air Force’s operations as the service updates and decommissions older tankers. Notably, the last KC-10 Extender was retired in September 2023 from Travis Air Force Base, California.
In October 2023, a squadron of KC-46s was deployed to the Middle East for their inaugural full operational deployment. Maj. Andrew Doenitz, commander of the 305th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, stated that while the KC-46A had previously operated in the region, this deployment is crucial for establishing a foundation for sustained expeditionary operations.
The future configuration of the service’s fleet remains uncertain. The Air Force is exploring a prospective next-generation aerial refueling system (NGAS) anticipated in the 2030s, which may feature a blended wing design and enhanced stealth capabilities to operate in contested environments against major adversaries like China.
However, budget constraints pose challenges as the Air Force Secretary, Frank Kendall, indicated that funding may not suffice for both the NGAS tanker and other modernization initiatives, including the Next Generation Air Dominance fighter and Collaborative Combat Aircraft drone wingmen.
The KC-46 program has faced significant hurdles, including cost overruns and technical difficulties, particularly concerning its remote refueling vision system. Boeing recently reported a $661 million charge linked to this program, attributed partially to a protracted machinist strike.
Additionally, on the same day, Boeing received a separate contract valued at approximately $1.7 billion from the Navy for seven P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. This addition raises the Navy’s total P-8 contract to 135 aircraft and contributes to a global total of 207, with P-8 customers including countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, India, Norway, and South Korea. As of now, 170 Poseidon aircraft have either been delivered or are currently in service worldwide.
Stephen Losey, the air warfare reporter for Defense News, covered this information, bringing his extensive experience in defense operations and air warfare reporting.
