The KC-46A has played a critical role in modern aerial refueling, with the fleet achieving over 100,000 flight hours and offloading more than 200 million pounds of fuel worldwide. In October, the KC-46A completed its first full-scale operational deployment following its 2022 approval for global combat operations by the U.S. Air Force Air Mobility Command.
Lynn Fox, vice president and KC-46 program manager at Boeing, expressed enthusiasm for the continued collaboration. “We appreciate our continued partnership with the U.S. Air Force. This is another big milestone for our team, and we look forward to delivering the world’s most advanced multi-mission aerial refuelers for years to come,” Fox stated.
The KC-46A platform has also benefited from recent upgrades to enhance its performance in contested environments. Following a 2023 Block 1 upgrade, the U.S. Air Force awarded Boeing a contract in July 2024 to further improve mission readiness, data connectivity, and situational awareness, strengthening its operational capabilities.
Since deliveries began in 2019, Boeing has provided 89 KC-46As to the U.S. Air Force and four to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.
