Losses among KC-135 tanker aircraft and their already quite respectable age of over 60 years service force U.S. to think about successors. So their entire fleet is planned to be replaced with new problematic KC-46 Pegasus, as operations against russia and worldwide must be supported.
As Aviation Week writes citing U.S. Air Force, now instead of previously planned 179 aircraft, these tankers’ fleet should comprise 263 units. At the same time, in 2027, 15 units will be ordered for $3.5 billion.
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Also expected is that in 2028-2031, annual production volumes will comprise 18 tanker aircraft. For comparison, in 2025 Boeing delivered 14 KC-46s to customers. At the same time, cost per unit should grow from $199.8 million currently to $321.9 million in 2028.
Regarding next-generation flying tanker development program, it supposedly will now be paused. American military wants to concentrate on improving connectivity and survivability of already available fleet.
Also mentioned is installing fixes for Pegasus deficiencies, such as refueling boom and observation systems interfering with production processes. Their installation supposedly should begin only in 2028.
Defense Express notes that if the latter is true, fixes implementation is postponed another year from previously announced timelines, which already lagged behind plans by 2 years. However, at least one can say that in 2028 fully ready aircraft should come off assembly line.
Also we receive real aircraft price for first time, which previously by rough calculations based on contracts was $164.7 million, and now is stated $35.7 million more expensive currently and almost twice more in 2 years. Perhaps this includes improvement adaptation, overall program cost and production capacity expansion.
Recall previously Boeing said it wants to increase KC-46 cost as it lost billions of dollars on it. However, U.S. Air Force emphasized it does not want to give new contract until existing deficiencies are corrected.
Now interesting whether losses among aging KC-135s during iran war and aircraft respectable age of over 60-70 years will force American military to soften their position. After all, they already decided to replace entire fleet with new problematic aircraft instead of waiting when next generation will be ready.
Having sufficient ready tanker aircraft quantity is very important for U.S., as it ensures long aviation transfer capability and striking anywhere in world. The latter is especially relevant for strategic bombers, where such capability is already being tested on brand new B-21 Raider.
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