Boeing KC-46A

A new Hudson Institute study argues that an aerial refueling aircraft based on a medium-sized blended wing body design is a better option for the U.S. Air Force than the Boeing KC-46A or Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport.

The U.S. State Department has approved an offer worth $4.5 billion to export four Boeing KC-46A air refueling aircraft for the Qatari government, the agency said on Aug. 20.

Boeing will start integration work on a major self-defense upgrade for the U.S. and Australian P-8A Poseidon aircraft against missile attacks.

USAF officials and Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg on July 28 hailed progress made on addressing a long list of costly problems hanging over the KC-46 tanker program.

Boeing reported another VC-25B charge but says broader defense programs are improving and reducing overall risk.

Sierra Nevada Corp. has delivered the first four Boeing KC-46s outfitted with a new beyond-line-of-sight communications suite.

“It’s a different Boeing showing up,” said Steve Parker, Boeing Defense, Space and Security CEO, ahead of major fighter decision.

Boeing’s KC-46 progresses through critical upgrades and mission growth as the service looks long term.

The U.S. Air Force needs to create a comprehensive assessment and plan to improve the sustainment of its aerial refueling tanker, a new watchdog report says.

Boeing and the U.S. Air Force have completed the first phase of flight testing a major upgrade to the KC-46’s remote vision system.

The Polish Air Force has received its first three Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighters to be based in Poland.

A recovery plan for the Boeing KC-46 pushes the arrival of the Remote Vision System (RVS) 2.0 upgrade by more than a year.

The U.S. Air Force plans to field 263 KC-46 refueling tankers to fully replace its KC-135 fleet, .

The U.S. Air Force has taken another step toward a major production extension for its KC-46A tanker, notifying Boeing on April 1 of an upcoming contract for 75 of the aircraft.

The U.S. Air Force is focused on near-term tanker recapitalization—extending purchases of the Boeing KC-46 and planning minor situational awareness upgrades.

Northrop Grumman is presenting a three-pronged approach to offer a “family of systems” for the USAF if it progresses with that plan for future refuelers.

Boeing on Jan. 27 reported another $565 million charge on its U.S. Air Force KC-46 tanker program in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025.

The U.S. Air Force on Nov. 25 awarded Boeing a $2.47 billion contract for 15 KC-46A tankers, extending production into the later years of the program.

Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.

Boeing Defense and Space CEO Steve Parker says a long-awaited upgrade for the system that operates the Boeing KC-46 refueling boom has completed its first flight.

The U.S. Air Force is pressing to field a next-generation aerial refueling system by as soon as 2036, to justify production extension of the Boeing KC-46.

Japan has deployed fighter aircraft to Europe for the first time, reciprocating visits made by the UK Royal Air Force and the German Air Force.

Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.

The U.S. Air Force on Aug. 25 released three investigations into incidents involving the Boeing KC-46A all linked to a similar issue—the tanker’s stiff boom getting stuck in receiving aircraft.

The acquisition, which still requires formal Israeli government approval, would bring the Israeli Air Force's KC-46 fleet to six aircraft.