Boeing KC-46 Pegasus

The Boeing KC-46 Pegasus is a military aerial refueling and strategic military transport aircraft developed by Boeing from its 767 jet airliner. In February 2011, the tanker was selected by the United States Air Force (USAF) as the winner in the KC-X tanker competition to replace older KC-135 Stratotankers. The first 18 combat-ready aircraft are to be delivered to the U.S. Air Force by August 2017 under the terms of the development contract.

Development

Background

The U.S. Air Force ran a procurement program to replace around 100 of its oldest KC-135E Stratotankers, and selected Boeing's KC-767. The Boeing tanker received the KC-767A designation from the United States Department of Defense in 2002 and appearing in the 2004 edition of DoD model designation report. The Air Force decided to lease 100 KC-767 tankers from Boeing.

Despite several nations leasing military aircraft, there was criticism. US Senator John McCain and others criticized the draft leasing agreement as being wasteful and problematic. In response to the protests, the Air Force struck a compromise in November 2003, whereby it would purchase 80 KC-767 aircraft and lease 20 more. In December 2003, the Pentagon announced the project was to be frozen when an investigation of allegations of corruption led to the jailing of one of its former procurement executives who applied to work for Boeing. The Air Force's KC-767A contract was officially canceled by the DoD in January 2006.

Podcasts:

PLAYLIST TIME:

Latest News for: kc 46

Edit

Is The USAF KC-46 Pegasus Fully Mission Capable?

Simple Flying 18 Apr 2025
... has focused heavily on the KC-46 Pegasus as it replaces the venerable KC-135 Stratotanker.
Edit

State of the Air Force 2025

Defense One 18 Apr 2025
Axing a next-gen refueler means the service will have to keep flying its KC-135 tankers possibly well past their 100th birthday, since the KC-10 Extender is retired and the KC-46 Pegasus continues to struggle with development problems ... .
Edit

Bumbling Boeing Secures the Next Boondoggle: The F-47

Free West Media 11 Apr 2025
... development contract for Boeing, the corporation that has become a byword for program disasters (see the KC-46 tanker, the Starliner spacecraft, the 737 MAX airliner, not to mention the T-7 trainer.).
Edit

Qatar, Israel take part in military drill in Greece

Middle East Monitor 03 Apr 2025
The United States is participating with F-16 fighters and KC-46 and KC-135 refuelling aircraft. Israel has deployed a G-550 aircraft.
  • 1
×