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Air Force

USAF Primed To Buy Large Number Of KC-46s In FY 2027; No Look At KC-390

Frank Wolfe

Tuesday, February 24th, 2026

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USAF Primed To Buy Large Number Of KC-46s In FY 2027; No Look At KC-390

Pictured is the KC-135R/T Stratotanker “Ethel” parked at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz. on Dec. 21, 2025 upon completion of a final flight after 41,000 flight hours in more than 60 years in the Air Force tanker fleet.

AURORA, Colo.--As the Air Force aims to correct Category 1 deficiencies on the Boeing [BA] KC-46A Pegasus tanker, the service is poised to buy a large number in the fiscal 2027 budget, Air Force Secretary Troy Meink hinted in a discussion with reporters here on Tuesday at the Air & Space Forces Association's annual warfare symposium. "KC-46 is a great airplane," Meink said. "It's supported all the operations. There are some challenges, and we're working through them, and I think…

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