The 84th KC-46A enters into service for the U.S. Air Force, headed for Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey. (Photo Credit: Boeing, Craig Larsen)
EVERETT, Wash. ― The U.S. Air Force has awarded Boeing a $16.8 million contract for KC-46A software and data enhancements that will further advance the mission readiness and performance envelope of the world’s most advanced multi-mission tanker.
The contract includes upgrades to the Onboard Performance Tool software for expedited mission launch, with specific improvements for efficient cargo loading and takeoff and landing data management for flight planning. With these enhancements, aircrews will be able to complete weight and balance calculations more efficiently and load the aircraft and start missions quickly.
“The U.S. Air Force and allies are performing crucial global missions with the growing KC-46A tanker fleet and finding ways to extract more capability from the platform,” said Lynn Fox, KC-46 vice president and program manager. “We’re collaborating to integrate enhancements like these and bring additional capabilities to the battlespace as rapidly as possible to meet the evolving needs of the mission.”
In 2023, the Air Force awarded Boeing a Block 1 upgrade contract, further enhancing the KC-46A’s advanced communications, data connectivity and situational awareness for aircraft survivability and operational advantage in contested environments.
The KC-46A can carry three times more cargo pallets, up to twice as many passengers and over 30% more aeromedical evacuation patients than the KC-135 aircraft fleet it is replacing.
To date, Boeing has delivered 84 KC-46As to the U.S. Air Force and four to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.
