Tag: KC-46A

Boeing Partners with Aurora to Enhance KC-46A Pegasus’ Defensive Capabilities

Janes reports that The Boeing Company announced at the Paris Air Show on June 20 that it will partner with “Aurora Flight Sciences to enhance the defensive capabilities of its KC-46A Pegasus tanker-transport aircraft.” Boeing said that Aurora Flight Sciences is “leading the research and conceptual design of composite components geared at enhancing operational survivability for aerial refuelling and mobility missions. … This work will also focus on producibility and manufacturing at Aurora’s Columbus, Mississippi, manufacturing facility.” According to Boeing, the KC-46A Pegasus “already features defensive systems and data integration for multimission aerial refuelling support closer to the battlespace than existing tankers.” Boeing said, “With more data for the crew and fleet, including recent Block 1 upgrades to further enhance connectivity, the Pegasus can see and relay threat information to joint force warfighters for greater fleet survivability and mission success.”
Full Story (Janes)

US Air Force Surveying Industry for Next Tranche of Refueling Tankers

Reuters reports that the US Air Force “said on Wednesday it is surveying the aircraft industry to learn if another manufacturer has the capacity or interest to make the next tranche of midair refueling tankers similar to the recently purchased KC-46.” The sources sought document “is the first step in the process of buying the next batch of refueling tankers.” The Air Force “said the tranche of 140 to 160 jets would follow The Boeing Company’s current contract to produce 179 KC-46’s as the Pentagon replaces hundreds of Eisenhower-era KC-135’s still in service.” The KC-46 has “been plagued by performance challenges including defects with an on-board video system and the boom that connects the tanker to aircraft seeking refueling.” Despite those challenges, acting Secretary of the Air Force John Roth said Wednesday, “At this point we don’t see the economic or business sense of recompeting the contract.”
Full Story (Reuters)

Boeing Flies First KC-46A for Japan

Aviation International News reports that The Boeing Company “has flown the first KC-46A tanker for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.” The aircraft conducted “its maiden flight from Paine Field in Everett, Washington on February 8. The aircraft is due for delivery later this year.” Japan has four KC-46As on order, “with at least another two being considered.”
Full Story (Aviation International News)

First KC-46A Tanker Delivered to Japan Air Self-Defense Force

Air Force Times reports that The Boeing Company “has delivered the first of four KC-46A tankers to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, marking the program’s first delivery to a customer outside the United States.” The KC-46A “made the trans-Pacific flight after departing Boeing’s facilities in Seattle, Washington, on Thursday afternoon local time, arriving at Miho Air Base in Japan on Friday morning local time.”
Full Story (Air Force Times

Air Force Awards Boeing $1.7 Billion for KC-46A Tankers

IHS Jane’s 360 reports that the US Air Force has awarded The Boeing Company $1.7 billion “for Lot 6 production of the KC-46A Pegasus tanker-transport aircraft.” According to DOD, “the contract covers 12 aircraft and will be complete by 30 April 2023.” Boeing is “now under contract for 79 of the 179 tankers included in the USAF’s KC-X procurement programme, comprising seven aircraft in Lot 1; 12 in Lot 2; 15 in Lot 3; 18 in Lot 4; 15 in Lot 5; and 12 in Lot 6.” The company has already delivered 42 of the aircraft on order.
Full Story (IHS Jane’s 360)

Boeing to Build 15 Additional KC-46A Tankers for U.S. Air Force

Reuters reports, “Boeing said on Thursday it has secured a $2.38 billion contract from the U.S. Air Force to build 15 additional KC-46A Pegasus aerial refueling tankers under the Lot 11 procurement. Boeing now has 168 KC-46A tankers on contract globally. Since 2019, Boeing has delivered 89 KC-46As to the U.S. Air Force and four to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.”
Full Story (Reuters)

KC-46 Refueled F-35s on Way to Singapore

Aviation Week reports that a US Air Force Boeing KC-46A from North Carolina “linked up with two F-35As to fuel the fighters on the long flight from the F-35As’ base in Guam to Singapore, where the new U.S. Air Force aircraft would be on public display at one of the world’s major air shows.”
Full Story (Aviation Week)

KC-46 Deliveries on Track to Resume Next Week

Breaking Defense reports, “Following a suspension of deliveries in late February, the US Air Force is ready to accept new KC-46A Pegasus refueling tankers from manufacturing Boeing as soon as next week, according to the service’s top acquisition official. During a hearing held by the House Armed Services seapower and projection forces subcommittee today, Darlene Costello, who is performing the duties of the Air Force’s acquisition chief, said the service and Boeing “have identified the root cause” of a cracking issue that has held up deliveries, and that officials have “begun the process to resume deliveries.” The first delivery is expected next week, she added.”
Full Story (Breaking Defense)

Boeing Resumes KC-46 Deliveries to U.S. Air Force After Fixing Cracks

Air & Space Forces Magazine reports, “Deliveries of Boeing’s KC-46A Pegasus tanker to the U.S. Air Force have restarted following a roughly three-month pause imposed after cracks were found in at least two brand-new aircraft. The Air Force and Boeing said the issue was not a safety-of-flight concern, but the problem was only the latest in a series that have plagued the 767-derivative, which has suffered through quality issues, delays, and cost overruns dating back years.”
Full Story (Air & Space Forces Magazine)