U.S. Air Force aerial refueling experts are asking the Boeing Co. to build 18 KC-46 Pegasus twin-engine widebody tanker aircraft under terms of a $2.9 billion order. Officials of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, are asking the Boeing Defense, Space & Security segment in Seattle for lot 4 KC-46 aircraft production, initial spare parts, and support equipment. The KC-46 is a military aerial refueling and strategic military transport aircraft based on the Boeing 767-200 widebody jet airliner. The multirole tanker can refuel all U.S., allied, and coalition military aircraft compatible with international aerial refueling procedures. In addition to refueling other aircraft in midair, the KC-46 also can carry passengers, cargo, and medical patients. Boeing received its first two production lots, for seven and 12 aircraft in August 2016. The third lot for 15 aircraft was awarded in January 2017. The KC-46 aircraft can detect, avoid, defeat and survive threats using several layers of protection that enable it to operate safely in medium-threat environments. For more information contact Boeing Defense, Space & Security online at www.boeing.com/defense, or the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at www.wpafb.af.mil/aflcmc.
