Boeing Bolsters U.S. Air Force Fleet with 15 Additional KC-46A Tankers

Boeing is poised to produce 15 additional KC-46A Pegasus tankers under a Lot 11 agreement granted by the U.S. Air Force, totaling $2.38 billion. In total, Boeing has acquired contracts for 168 KC-46A multi-role aerial refueling aircraft globally, providing advanced capability advantages for coalition forces and allies.

“We cherish our continuous partnership with the U.S. Air Force,” remarked Lynn Fox, vice president and KC-46 program director. “This signifies yet another remarkable milestone for our team, and we look forward to supplying the world’s most advanced multi-role aerial refuelers for years to come.”

The KC-46A consistently demonstrates its unparalleled capability, having accumulated over 100,000 flight hours and delivered surpassing 200 million pounds of fuel to recipients around the globe. In October, the Pegasus achieved its inaugural full-scale operational deployment subsequent to the U.S. Air Force Air Mobility Command authorizing the KC-46A for international combat operations in 2022.

In July, the Air Force awarded Boeing a contract to improve the mission preparedness and effectiveness of the KC-46A tanker. This enhancement builds on the 2023 Block 1 modernization, further advancing the tanker’s high-tech communication systems, data link functionalities, and situational awareness for aircraft survivability and tactical advantages in contested environments.

Since 2019, Boeing has delivered 89 KC-46As to the U.S. Air Force and four to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.

With the awarding of the Lot 11 contract, a cumulative total of 168 KC-46A multi-role aerial refuelers are now under agreement worldwide.

KC-46A initiated its first full-scale operational deployment with the U.S. Air Force in October.