U.S. aviation giant Boeing has signed a $2.47 billion Lot 12 contract to produce 15 KC-46A Pegasus tankers and strategic transport aircraft. The aircraft, scheduled for delivery by 2029, will meet the Air Force’s critical operational needs.
The U.S.-based aerospace company Boeing has reached a significant agreement with the U.S. Air Force under the KC-46A Pegasus program. The company finalized the $2.47 billion Lot 12 contract covering the production of 15 tankers and strategic transport aircraft. Boeing announced that deliveries are planned to be completed by June 30, 2029.
The contract comes after a period in early 2025 when KC-46A deliveries were temporarily halted due to structural cracks detected in control surface components during the final stages of assembly. Boeing reported that the issue affected only a limited number of parts, necessary repairs were implemented, and deliveries resumed after confirming there was no risk to flight safety. Subsequently, many aircraft were transferred to Travis Air Force Base, raising the U.S. fleet first to 91 and later to 98 aircraft with subsequent deliveries.
Boeing KC-46 Program Manager and Vice President Jake Kwasnik emphasized the contract’s importance for production stability, stating, “This agreement strengthens our long-term supply chain while continuing to deliver the unique capabilities of the KC-46A.”
According to company data, 183 KC-46A Pegasus aircraft are currently active worldwide. Of these, 98 have been delivered to the U.S. Air Force, six to Japan, and Israel has an order for four units.
Technical Specifications and Operational Capability
The KC-46A Pegasus is powered by two Pratt & Whitney PW4062 turbofan engines, producing 62,000 pounds of thrust. The aircraft has a maximum speed of 1,046 km/h, a typical cruising speed of 851 km/h, and a range of 11,830 kilometers without in-flight refueling.
The cockpit is equipped with three large multifunction displays, while survivability features include electromagnetic pulse protection, nuclear–chemical–biological hardening, and an armored flight deck. The crew compartment accommodates up to 15 personnel.
The KC-46A serves not only as a refueling platform but also as a multi-role transport and air ambulance aircraft thanks to the standard 463L pallet system. In 2024, a 45-hour continuous flight known as “Project Magellan” set a record mission in which a KC-46A both received and delivered fuel, demonstrating the aircraft’s endurance.
Surpassing 150,000 Flight Hours
The U.S. KC-46A fleet is now actively deployed in global missions. Program sources report that the platform has accumulated over 150,000 flight hours, covering combat operations, exercises, training sorties, and deployments. The annual fuel offload reaches tens of millions of pounds.
Compared to older tanker fleets, it is noted that four KC-46As can provide similar capacity to three large tankers at a lower cost, offering a budget-friendly operational model. The Japan Air Self-Defense Force acquired six KC-46As alongside four KC-767s and has also been authorized to procure nine additional aircraft in the future.
