Boeing [BA] has received two contracts for its KC-46A tanker, DoD said on Aug. 31. In the first such contract, the U.S. Air Force awarded Boeing more than $2.2 billion for 15 KC-46A Pegasus tankers under production lot 8. Work on the tankers in Seattle is to wrap up by Nov. 30, 2025.
Under the second contract, Boeing is to build four such tankers by the end of 2026 for Israel for more than $927 million.
“This contract is also issued for the non-recurring engineering design and test, RVS [Remote Vision System] 2.0 and Air Refueling Operator Station 2.0 mission equipment and installation, pre-delivery integrated logistics support, and technical publications for KC-46A Israel,” DoD said.
In June, Boeing said that it delivered its 61st KC-46A
to the U.S. Air Force, as the company prepared for a program critical design review this year (Defense Daily, June 15).
Boeing has pointed to the benefits of an envisioned integrated battle management suite on the tanker to spot adversary aircraft and command friendly fighters to intercept the enemy planes.
The company also has said it has been looking to expand KC-46 business abroad, including offering the aircraft as a military freighter for loading 18 463L pallets, which could carry 65,000 pounds of cargo,