A KC-46 refuels an A-10 during testing. Photo: Air Force.
The Air Force on Friday awarded Boeing [BA] a $2.1 billion contract for 15 KC-46A aerial refueling tanker aircraft, spare engines and wing air refueling pod kits, according to a company statement.
This order is the third low-rate initial production (LRIP) production lot for Boeing. The first two
came in August and included seven and 12 planes, respectively, as well as spare parts. Boeing plans to build 179 of the 767-based refueling aircraft for the Air Force to replace its legacy tanker fleet. Tanker deliveries will begin later this year.