Boeing Plans to Deliver First KC-46 Tanker by Year-end

Boeing is planning to deliver the first KC-46 tanker aircraft by year end even as they are in preparation for the start of Initial Operational Test and Evaluation work next year.

According to United States federal documents published last month, the first delivery could come as early as the middle of November to McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita. The base is at least preparing for a delivery ceremony on November 16, the document revealed.

However, the date, is being used only for planning purposes and remains subject to change. The US Air Force is yet to announce a firm delivery date, Bizjournals reported Monday.

Boeing earlier this week completed receiver certification testing for the B-52 bomber and the F/A-18 fighter jet.  The company says that similar testing with the F-15 fighter jet is next.

While the additional receiver certifications aren’t needed for the company to make its first delivery of the tanker to the US Air Force, a Boeing spokesperson was quoted by the journal as saying.

McConnell will eventually be home to 36 of the 179 tankers that Boeing plans to build for the service.