DefenceTalkThe U.S. Air Force today awarded Boeing $2.1 billion for 15 KC-46A tanker aircraft, spare engines and wing air refueling pod kits. This order is the third low-rate initial production lot for Boeing. The first two came in August 2016 and included seven and 12 planes, respectively, as well as spare parts. Boeing plans to […]https://www.defencetalk.com/boeing-awarded-2-1b-for-third-kc-46a-tanker-production-lot-68938/

DefenceTalkThe Indian Air Force (IAF) has canceled the tender worth USD2 billion for six A330 MRTT (Multi-Role Tanker Transport) aerial tankers, according to a source in the Indian Ministry of Defense (MoD). “The MoD has terminated the program to acquire six A330 MRTT aerial tankers from the Airbus Defense and Space Company. We are planning […]https://www.defencetalk.com/india-might-acquire-russian-il-78m-90a-aerial-tankers-67941/

DefenceTalkThe KC-46 acquisition cost estimate has declined by about 5.4 percent from $51.7 billion to $48.9 billion since February 2011 and the program is on track to meet performance goals. Most of the estimated cost decline is due to fewer than expected engineering changes and changes in military construction plans. The Air Force delayed the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/kc-46-tanker-aircraft-costs-drop-5-but-key-flight-capability-testing-lags-behind-63799/

DefenceTalkThe KC-46 Pegasus development program completed its first flight of Engineering, Manufacturing and Development (EMD) aircraft #1 Dec. 28. EMD #1 is a provisioned 767-2C freighter and the critical building block for the KC-46 missionized aerial refueler. The maiden flight took off at 9:29 AM PST from Paine Field in Everett, Washington, and landed at […]https://www.defencetalk.com/boeing-completes-successful-first-flight-in-kc-46-program-61226/

DefenceTalkThe KC-46 program has made good progress over the past year—acquisition costs have remained relatively stable, the critical design review was successfully completed, the program is on track to meet performance parameters, and the contractor started building development aircraft. As shown, total program acquisition costs—which include development, production, and military construction costs—and unit costs have […]https://www.defencetalk.com/kc-46-tanker-aircraft-program-on-track-but-upcoming-schedule-remains-challenging-59302/

DefenceTalkThe Air Force has increased planned life-cycle flying hours and aircrews assigned to the new KC-46A refueling tanker to make optimal use of the commercially-proven aircraft’s fuel efficiency, cargo and aeromedical evacuation capabilities. Compared to the Eisenhower-era KC-135 Stratotanker, the KC-46 is projected to have improved fuel efficiency, a greater fuel capacity, and much more […]https://www.defencetalk.com/air-force-increases-projected-kc-46-flying-hours-crew-ratio-46670/