Boeing Wins USAF’s $2.6Bn KC-46 Tanker Aircraft Contract

Boeing has won a US Air Force’s (USAF’s) contract valued at $2.6 Billion for Lot 5 production KC-46 aircraft, initial spares, and support equipment. 

“The Boeing Co., Seattle, Washington, has been awarded a $2.6 Billion modification to previously awarded contract for Lot 5 production KC-46 aircraft, initial spares, and support equipment,” Pentagon announced Friday.

The contract modification provides for the exercise of an option for an additional quantity of 15 KC-46 aircraft, data, two spare engines, five wing refueling pod kits, initial spares, support equipment, subscriptions and licenses, and G081 flat file being produced under the basic contract. 

Work for the current contract is expected to be completed by March 2023. 

The Boeing KC-46 Pegasus is a military aerial refueling and strategic military transport aircraft developed by Boeing from its 767 jet airliner. The new KC-46 fleet is planned to replace the US Air Force’s ageing fleet of Boeing KC-135 Stratotankers.

In April 2019, the company was awarded $5.7 billion for the new fleet of KC-46s with combat capabilities. The aircraft has completed receiver certification testing with Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft this year.