IRIA News

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U.S. Air Force awarded Boeing a $2.38 billion contract to build 15 additional KC-46A Pegasus advanced multi-mission aerial refueling aircraft. This is the 11th contract for the U.S. Air Force, while Boeing has 168 KC-46A multi-mission aerial refueling aircraft on contract globally.

Accoding to the Boeing statement, “The KC-46A continues to demonstrate its unparalleled capabilities having flown more than 100,000 flight hours and offloaded more than 200 million pounds of fuel to receivers globally.”

The next-generation KC-46A refueling aircraft embarked on its first full-scale operational deployment after receiving approval for global combat operations from the U.S. Air Force Air Mobility Command in 2022.

Vice president and KC-46 program manager, Lynn Fox said, “We appreciate our continued partnership with the U.S. Air Force,” adding that “This is another big milestone for our team, and we look forward to delivering the world’s most advanced multi-mission aerial refuelers for years to come.”

The Boeing KC-46 Pegasus is the world’s most advanced aerial refueling and strategic military transport aircraft, designed to enhance operational capabilities for the U.S. Air Force and allied forces. The highly versatile KC-46 delivers proven multi-mission capabilities today while continuously evolving to address the challenges of tomorrow’s operational landscape, according to the Boeing statement.

In July 2024, the U.S. Air Force awarded Boeing a contract to further enhance the mission readiness and performance of the KC-46A aircraft. Building on the 2023 Block 1 upgrade, this effort will advance the tanker’s capabilities in communications, data connectivity, and situational awareness, improving aircraft survivability and operational effectiveness in contested environments.

Over the past two years, the U.S. Air Force has marked significant milestones in enhancing the capabilities of the KC-46 and expanding its presence within the fleet. In September 2022, the Air Force approved the KC-46 to conduct refueling operations for all aircraft types, except the U.S. Air Force A-10 Warthog. Since 2019, Boeing has provided 89 KC-46A tankers to the U.S. Air Force and four to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.

KC-46 Pegasus Aircraft

Boeing’s KC-46 aircraft is a modified version of the 767 airliners, and the multi-role tanker can carry up to 18 military standardized pallets (463L) in cargo configuration. The plane uses the Wing Air Refueling Pod (WARP) system for aerial refueling operations. It is also equipped for aeromedical evacuation.

Apart from the U.S. Air Force, the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force uses KC-46s in its fleet. The state-of-the-art aerial refueling and military transport aircraft is capable of transferring fuel at rates of up to 1,200 gallons per minute, complemented by a hose-and-drogue system to support various receiver aircraft.

The KC-46 also features the Remote Vision System 2.0 (RVS 2.0), an enhanced camera and sensor suite that improves visibility and precision during refueling, even under challenging weather and lighting conditions.

Beyond refueling, the KC-46 is highly versatile, capable of transporting passengers, cargo, and medical evacuees. Its interior can be reconfigured to carry up to 65,000 pounds of cargo, passengers, or a combination of both, enabling it to adapt to diverse mission requirements. For medical missions, the aircraft is equipped to provide aeromedical evacuation, supporting patients with critical care during transit.

The KC-46 is also equipped with advanced communication systems that enhance situational awareness and ensure secure battlefield connectivity. These capabilities allow it to serve as a critical node in networked operations, supporting modern warfare’s demands. Additionally, it incorporates defensive systems that increase survivability in contested environments, making it well-suited for operations in challenging conditions.

The enhanced fuel efficiency of the aircraft extends the reach of mission operations and reduces overall operating costs. This global reach capability, combined with its refueling and transport functions, ensures that KC-46 can support long-duration and worldwide missions effectively. The aircraft’s design also supports interoperability with allied forces, enhancing its value for joint operations and coalition missions.