Boeing Wins $2.47B USAF Contract for 15 More KC-46A Tankers
Boeing Secures $2.47B Air Force Contract for 15 Additional KC-46A Tankers
Boeing has been awarded a Lot 12 contract by the US Air Force valued at $2.47 billion for 15 additional KC-46A Pegasus aerial refueling tankers. The contract award demonstrates continued Air Force commitment to the program and provides production stability for Boeing as the company navigates recovery from earlier operational challenges.
The KC-46A program experienced a significant setback in April 2025 when structural cracks were discovered on two aircraft during final assembly, triggering a temporary delivery halt and comprehensive inspection initiative. Following implementation of corrective repairs and Air Force clearance, deliveries resumed in July 2025, returning the program to its handover schedule.
“Getting on contract helps ensure production stability, including our long-lead supply chain, to continue delivering the unmatched capability of the KC-46A,” said Jake Kwasnik, Vice President and KC-46 Program Manager at Boeing.
Program Scope and Global Distribution
The Lot 12 award brings total KC-46A aircraft on contract or in service to 183 units globally. The US Air Force has taken delivery of 98 aircraft, with an additional 15 units under this latest contract. International operators include the Japan Air Self-Defense Force with six delivered aircraft and the Israel Air Force with four contracted units.
Capability Development and Fleet Modernization
The KC-46A program is advancing through a series of capability upgrades critical to Air Force operations. The Remote Vision System 2.0—a comprehensive overhaul of the aircraft’s refueling vision suite—remains in development with full operational readiness targeted for 2027. This upgrade addresses one of the program’s most significant technical challenges and will enhance operational effectiveness across the global KC-46A fleet.
The contract award arrives at a crucial juncture for US Air Force tanker operations. The KC-10 Extender fleet has been fully retired, and the aging KC-135 Stratotanker fleet continues to age beyond its original service life. The KC-46A has become central to the Air Force’s modernization strategy, providing advanced aerial refueling capability essential to global military operations.
Production Stability and Supply Chain
The Lot 12 contract provides critical long-term planning certainty for Boeing’s extensive supply chain network. Following the delivery pause and subsequent resumption, production stability remains a priority for maintaining supplier commitments and manufacturing momentum.
With deliveries now normalized and additional aircraft on contract, the KC-46A program represents one of the Defense Department’s most significant modernization initiatives, ensuring continued aerial refueling capability for decades to come.
Source ID: SRCE-2025-1764165634325-971