The U.S. Air Force has awarded Boeing a $2.47 billion contract to deliver 15 additional KC‑46A Pegasus aerial refueling tankers, strengthening America’s long‑term air mobility and modernization strategy.
Expanding the Fleet
The deal, announced on November 25, 2025, is part of the Lot 12 contract award, bringing the total number of KC‑46A multi‑mission refuelers on contract or in service globally to 183 aircraft. Of these, 98 have already been delivered to the U.S. Air Force since 2019, alongside deliveries to international partners including Japan and pending orders from Israel MediaRoom The Economic Times Air Data News.
Strategic Importance
The KC‑46A Pegasus is designed to replace aging KC‑135 Stratotankers, offering advanced capabilities such as multi‑mission refueling, cargo transport, and aeromedical evacuation. Boeing highlighted that the fleet has already surpassed 150,000 flight hours, reflecting high utilization across training, operational sorties, and global deployments MediaRoom Aeronews Global.
Jake Kwasnik, Boeing’s KC‑46 program manager, emphasized that the contract ensures production stability and supply chain continuity, allowing the company to meet long‑lead component demands while maintaining delivery momentum MediaRoom.
Challenges and Progress
The KC‑46A program has faced technical hurdles, including issues with its Remote Vision System (RVS) used for refueling operations. However, recent upgrades and contracts for mission readiness have improved communications, data connectivity, and situational awareness, ensuring the aircraft meets evolving defense requirements Aeronews Global.
Outlook
This latest procurement underscores the Pentagon’s commitment to modernizing aerial refueling capabilities, a critical element of U.S. and allied air power. With continued investment, the KC‑46A Pegasus is set to remain a cornerstone of global air mobility, supporting both combat operations and humanitarian missions well into the future.
KC 46A Pegasus Tanker Refuelling Jet Fighters, Official US Air Force photograph from avgeekery Bill Walton
