The US Air Force has awarded Boeing a $2.6 billion contract for 15 KC-46A tanker aircraft, spares, support equipment, spare engines and wing air refuelling pod kits.

With this fifth production lot, Boeing now is on contract for 67 KC-46 tankers.

Boeing (www.boeing.com) 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 fourth lot — for 18 aircraft — in September 2018; the company plans to build 179 of the 767-based refuelling aircraft for the Air Force to replace its legacy tanker fleet.

Boeing delivered the first tankers to the Air Force in January 2019.

It received the initial contract in 2011 to design and develop the Air Force’s newest tanker aircraft.

The KC-46A is a multi-role tanker that can refuel allied and coalition military aircraft compatible with international aerial refuelling procedures and can carry passengers, cargo and patients.

Boeing is assembling KC-46 aircraft at its Everett (Washington) facility and recently started production of the first
KC-46 for Japan.