Posted on Aug 14, 2016
KC-46 Tanker Cleared for Production
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WASHINGTON – The KC-46A Pegasus tanker has been cleared for production, a major step forward for the Boeing-led design.
Frank Kendall, the Pentagon’s acquisition head, declared the program has successfully cleared Milestone C review late Friday.
The Air Force expects to award the first two Low Rate Initial Production lots within the next 30 days. Those contracts will cover 19 and associated spare parts, for a pre-negotiated $2.8 billion combined value.
"The KC-46 is ready to take the next step," Gen. Dave Goldfein, Air Force Chief of Staff, said in a service release. "Our Air Force and Boeing team stepped up to meet the recent challenges. I'm especially proud of the employees on the floor of the Boeing plant, and employees of all our industry partners, who work every day to deliver game-changing capability to the warfighter. My hat's off to them and our program leads."
As part of the Milestone C requirements, the KC-46 had to prove it could refuel an F-16, C-17, and A-10 off of its boom, as well as use the hose and drogue systems on an AV-8 and F/A-18. The KC-46 also had to take in fuel from a KC-10.
Those tests were delayed, however, after the discovery that the KC-46 boom struggled to deliver fuel to heavier aircraft such as the C-17. While Boeing was able to design a bypass to help better regulate the fuel flow, that problem contributed to a delay that pushed a Milestone C decision from June to August, and the delivery of the first 18 certified tankers to the Air Force from August 2017 to January 2018.
Boeing is operating under a development contract that caps taxpayer costs at $4.9 billion, and the company has already taken $1.9 billion in pre-tax charges due to cost overruns. Entering the production stage is the first step towards recouping some of those losses.
The Air Force plans to procure 179 KC-46A models over the life of the program. The service has long-term plans for KC-Y and KC-Z programs, which Boeing hopes to secure as additional buys of the KC-46.
"Production approval is an important, positive step for the program and the Boeing/Air Force team has worked extremely hard to get to this point," a Boeing spokesman said in a statement. ?We expect the first low-rate initial production contract to follow shortly, and look forward to continuing our progress building the world's most capable tanker."
Frank Kendall, the Pentagon’s acquisition head, declared the program has successfully cleared Milestone C review late Friday.
The Air Force expects to award the first two Low Rate Initial Production lots within the next 30 days. Those contracts will cover 19 and associated spare parts, for a pre-negotiated $2.8 billion combined value.
"The KC-46 is ready to take the next step," Gen. Dave Goldfein, Air Force Chief of Staff, said in a service release. "Our Air Force and Boeing team stepped up to meet the recent challenges. I'm especially proud of the employees on the floor of the Boeing plant, and employees of all our industry partners, who work every day to deliver game-changing capability to the warfighter. My hat's off to them and our program leads."
As part of the Milestone C requirements, the KC-46 had to prove it could refuel an F-16, C-17, and A-10 off of its boom, as well as use the hose and drogue systems on an AV-8 and F/A-18. The KC-46 also had to take in fuel from a KC-10.
Those tests were delayed, however, after the discovery that the KC-46 boom struggled to deliver fuel to heavier aircraft such as the C-17. While Boeing was able to design a bypass to help better regulate the fuel flow, that problem contributed to a delay that pushed a Milestone C decision from June to August, and the delivery of the first 18 certified tankers to the Air Force from August 2017 to January 2018.
Boeing is operating under a development contract that caps taxpayer costs at $4.9 billion, and the company has already taken $1.9 billion in pre-tax charges due to cost overruns. Entering the production stage is the first step towards recouping some of those losses.
The Air Force plans to procure 179 KC-46A models over the life of the program. The service has long-term plans for KC-Y and KC-Z programs, which Boeing hopes to secure as additional buys of the KC-46.
"Production approval is an important, positive step for the program and the Boeing/Air Force team has worked extremely hard to get to this point," a Boeing spokesman said in a statement. ?We expect the first low-rate initial production contract to follow shortly, and look forward to continuing our progress building the world's most capable tanker."
KC-46 Tanker Cleared for Production
Posted from defensenews.comPosted in these groups: 
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Posted >1 y ago
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I understand that the KC-46 has proved it can refuel an F-16, C-17, and A-10 off of its boom, as well as use the hose and drogue systems on an AV-8 and F/A-18. The KC-46 also had to take in fuel from a KC-10 SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL.
However the system had challenges with refueling the longer rang aircraft such as the C-17 and other Cargo planes. Those in my opinion are the most important planes to be able to refuel because they operate in peace and war on a world-wide basis.
It seems from the announcement that the KC-46 passed the test to refuel the C-17. I expect it must also be able to refuel and receive fuel from the KC-10.
COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. Capt Seid Waddell CW5 (Join to see) CW5 Charlie Poulton CSM Charles Hayden SGM David W. Carr LOM, DMSM MP SGT SSgt Robert Marx SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" SSgt (Join to see) TSgt Joe C. SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Mark Kuzinski SGT Forrest Stewart SGT Robert Hawks SPC (Join to see) SrA Christopher Wright MSgt Scott Gaston
However the system had challenges with refueling the longer rang aircraft such as the C-17 and other Cargo planes. Those in my opinion are the most important planes to be able to refuel because they operate in peace and war on a world-wide basis.
It seems from the announcement that the KC-46 passed the test to refuel the C-17. I expect it must also be able to refuel and receive fuel from the KC-10.
COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. Capt Seid Waddell CW5 (Join to see) CW5 Charlie Poulton CSM Charles Hayden SGM David W. Carr LOM, DMSM MP SGT SSgt Robert Marx SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" SSgt (Join to see) TSgt Joe C. SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Mark Kuzinski SGT Forrest Stewart SGT Robert Hawks SPC (Join to see) SrA Christopher Wright MSgt Scott Gaston
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
LTC Stephen F. in time of war, for refueling purposed there is none better IMHO. Great assist to the Armed Forces.
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MSgt Scott Gaston
I really haven't followed the development, but it should have the capability to "Reverse Air Refuel".
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Definitely a much needed aircraft. Much as I love the KC-135 and KC-10 both aircraft are getting quite old. The 135 has gone through some engine and cockpit upgrades but is in need of a better replacement. The KC10 could use some cockpit upgrades itself.
The KC-46 is a good step toward a better air refueling aircraft. Glad to see Boeing taking the lead on this one too. It's a great looking bird and as long as they've worked out all of those kinks it should see a long and great service.
The KC-46 is a good step toward a better air refueling aircraft. Glad to see Boeing taking the lead on this one too. It's a great looking bird and as long as they've worked out all of those kinks it should see a long and great service.
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
SrA Matthew Knight thanks for the response, I appreciate the insight!
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